Well Now

Health Enhancement Services

The cold and flu season is upon us. Common cold symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, headache, chills, and maybe a fever, but usually not higher than 101 degrees.

Flu symptoms usually consist of chills, fever (perhaps as high as 105 degrees) that lasts two to four days, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, muscular aches and pains, nausea and vomiting.

The following self-care measures can assist your body in its healing process (since there is no cure for the common cold or flu) and to relieve symptoms. You will recognize many of them as things your mother told you to do. Mom was right about some things, and all of the following have scientific research to back them up:

est in bed, for a few days if possible.

If you smoke, stop.

Drink plenty of fluids, preferably warm ones. Fluids should include plenty of vitamin C fruit juices and water. Alcohol and caffeine are to be avoided.

For a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water (one half teaspoon salt per cup of warm water) or suck on hard candies to soothe the throat. Over-the-counter drugs also can be used to numb the throat.

Use Acetaminophen for headache, body aches, and fever.

Increase the room humidity to relieve nasal congestion by using a vaporizer or taking a steamy bath or shower.

Check your temperature using a thermometer (available at the Wellness Resource Center for $1). Stay warm, but do not try to “sweat it out”—this may cause dehydration.

Take antibiotics only if prescribed for you for this episode of illness (not one you had last year). Colds and flus are caused by viruses which do not respond to antibiotics.

Avoid the use of multi-symptom cold remedies. If you must use any over-the-counter medications, take only those preparations designed for your specific symptom. Keep in mind that any over-the-counter medication is purely for relief of symptoms and not a cure. ALWAYS read and follow the label instructions for the product you are going to use.

Avoid the use of nasal sprays.

These self-care measures will work for most common cold and flu cases. If these methods fail to work or you are unsure of your symptoms, you can visit the Cold Care Center set up by University Health Services. The purpose of the care center is to help you learn how to care for your cold, prevent future colds, and minimize your waiting time at the health center. For more information about the care center call 753-9724.

If you have these severe or persistent symptoms you also should plan a visit to the care center:

Having difficulty swallowing.

A sore throat and fever over 101 degrees with no other symptoms.

A fever above 103 degrees.

A fever above 100 degrees for more than three days.

A fever accompanied by a rash, stiff neck, severe headache, and/or marked irritability or confusion.

Coughing up brown/bloody/green-tinged sputum.

Dry cough lasting more than two weeks.

Cough with fever, shaking chills, severe chest pains, wheezing or shortness of breath.

Deep ear pain.

Symptoms (however mild) lasting more than two weeks.