Sunday, 01 November 2009

• Which is it - a cold, flu or H1N1?

  I found this great chart on m_elder_48's site, and I thought it was great enough to post, too.  There's so much hysteria out there, we need some balance.  Knowledge is power .  I especially liked the tip about singing the ABC's or Happy Birthday while washing hands, so you know when you've washed them long enough.  That's something any parent can teach their kids to do very easily.
  
  

  DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS
  SYMPTOM	COLD	SEASONAL FLU	H1N1
  FEVER	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is common with the seasonal flu.	Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 101°
  COUGHING	A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
  ACHES	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Moderate body aches are common with the seasonal flu.	Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.
  STUFFY NOSE	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	A runny nose is commonly present with the seasonal flu.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1.
  CHILLS	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu.	60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills.
  TIREDNESS	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with H1N1.
  SNEEZING	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold	Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu.	Sneezing is not common with H1N1.
  SUDDEN SYMPTOMS	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	Symptons tend to develop over a few days and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.	H1N1 has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common.
  HEADACHE	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is fairly common with the seasonal flu.	A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.
  SORE THROAT	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is commonly present with the seasonal flu.	Sore throat is not commonly present with H1N1.
  CHEST DISCOMFORT	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe seek medical attention immediately!	Chest discomfort is often severe with H1N1.
  PREVENTION TIPS:
  cough & sneeze into your elbow
  wash hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 15 -20 seconds. Sing your abc's or happy birthday to you
  use hand sanitizer when soap & water are not available
  avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth without washing or using hand sanitizer first

  
  One final word, from an old favorite television show from the 70's: "Let's just be careful out there!"
  
  

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