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Cold vs. the Flu: Does It Matter?
Over-the-counter drugs
and chicken soup help both, right? Not so fast.
It's important to learn
which kind of illness you're dealing with. That's because the flu can have
serious complications, like the lung infection pneumonia. It can even be
deadly. Flu treatments work best within 48 hours of the time symptoms start.
Prescription antiviral drugs may cut the time you're sick.
Whether you have the flu or flu-like
illness, doctors also recommend that you:
·
Drink lots of fluids. Fever and viral
infections can be dehydrating, particularly for younger and older people. “It
not only makes you uncomfortable, it can also predispose you to the development
of pneumonia,” Schaffner says.
·
Rest and get plenty of sleep. Your body
needs downtime to recover.
·
Take over-the-counter cold and flu
medicines to treat a variety of symptoms, such as congestion and cough.
Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin can help control fever, aches, and pains.
·
Use steam from a hot shower to moisten
mucous membranes, open up your sinuses, and promote drainage if you are
congested.
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