Deepi Brar
CONSUMER HEALTH INTERACTIVEMany illnesses begin with influenza (flu)-like symptoms, which include fever, tiredness, and a dry cough. And most are not caused by flu or by anthrax. Because these symptoms can be caused by many diseases, it can be difficult to tell what caused you to become sick. Your best protection against the flu is an annual flu shot. You should especially get this protection if you are 50 years old or older, will be pregnant during the flu season, or have certain medical conditions that put you at high risk of flu-related complications. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday should also get a flu shot. The flu shot can prevent illness caused by influenza but cannot prevent flu-like illness caused by other diseases. | Cold | Flu | Anthrax | Treatment | Treat symptoms.
Does not respond to antibiotics | Antiviral flu medicines started in the first two days of illness can reduce the severity and duration of influenza illness | Antibiotics are recommended | Vaccine | None | Annual flu shots can reduce your risk of getting the flu | Vaccine recommended only for military personnel and certain other groups whose jobs (eg, laboratory workers) put them at risk | Transmission | Easily spread from person to person when an infected person touches someone else or sneezes or coughs | Easily spread from person to person when an infected person sneezes or coughs | Cannot be spread from person to person | Symptoms | | Fever at or above 100°F | Uncommon in adults and older children | Usual and can last three to four days | Usual | Headache | Usual | Usual with sudden onset, and can be severe | Sometimes | Muscle aches | Mild | Usual, and often severe | Sometimes | Tiredness and exhaustion | Mild | Usual with sudden onset, can be severe, and can last two or more weeks | Usual | Runny nose | Usual | Usual | Rare | Cough | Usual | Usual, and can become severe | Usual | Chest discomfort | Uncommon | Uncommon | Usual | Vomiting | Uncommon | Uncommon in adults but more likely in very young children | Usual |
References
MMWR Notice to Readers: Considerations for Distinguishing Influenza-Like Illness from Inhalational Anthrax Vol 50, No 44; 986-6 11/09/2001
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. July 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm
Centers for Disease Control. 2008-2009 Influenza Vaccine Updates. September 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm
Reviewed by Michael Potter, M.D., an attending physician and assistant clinical professor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
First published December 5, 2001
Last updated November 4, 2008
Copyright © 2001 Consumer Health Interactive
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