HOME REMEDIES

TIME-TESTED TIPS FOR FIGHTING COLDS AND FLU

Almost everyone gets colds and/or the flu (or "a" flu; there are many types) at some point in life. We've identified ways to lessen the chances of getting one or both of these, plus ways to endure them with as few ill effects as possible.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLD AND THE FLU?

Both illnesses are caused by viruses. Viruses are tiny microbes (1/900 the width of a human hair) that can infect plants and animals. The symptoms of each are different (e.g., the effects of a cold are usually far less severe than those of a flu). There is no "cure" for either one, but there are ways to ameliorate the conditions.

COLD VS. FLU
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS	COLD	FLU
Symptom onset	Gradual	Abrupt
Fever	Rare	Usual
Aches	Slight	Usual
Chills	Uncommon	Fairly Common
Fatigue, weakness	Sometimes	Usual
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough	Mild to moderate	Common
Stuffy nose	Common	Sometimes
Sore throat	Common	Sometimes
Headache	Rare	Common

–U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)