Cold, Flu or Allergy: Know the Difference and What to Do

Cold, Flu or Allergy: Know the Difference and What to Do

Symptoms Nasal congestion

Runny nose Sneezing

Sore throat Cough Fever

Headache Aches/pains

Fatigue

Cold

(Virus) Common Common Common

Common ? resolves quickly

Sometimes by 4th or 5th day Rare Rare Slight

Sometimes

Extreme fatigue

Uncommon

Flu

(Influenza) Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes

Sometimes

Common Common (100-102?F)

Common Common ? often severe

Common ? may last 2-3 weeks Common ? especially at beginning of illness

Allergy

(Seasonal or environmental) Common Common Common

Sometimes ? described as scratchy or dry Sometimes Never Sometimes Never

Sometimes

Never

Infectious period

Varies ? usually first 2 to 4 days of illness

Onset of symptoms

Gradual development

Length of illness Treatment

7-10 days

No cure Symptoms resolve in 1-2 weeks without treatment Over-the-counter remedies relieve symptoms only

Get plenty of rest Drink plenty of water

Usually 1 day before symptoms begin and 5 days

after symptoms start

Can last up to 10 days

Not contagious

Abrupt onset

Can develop symptoms 1 to 4 days after exposure and infection

Environmental allergies can occur year round ? seasonal allergies occur when pollen

counts are high

Uncomplicated 2-5 days

Antiviral medications ? most effective within 48

hours of onset Over-the-counter remedies

relieve symptoms only Get plenty of rest

Drink plenty of water

Varies with seasonal or environmental allergies

Nasal rinses Antihistamines Decongestants Avoid allergens Stay inside when pollen/ mold counts are high

? Goshen Health. All rights reserved. 05.8010-0037 1/20

Cold Medications: Know the Difference and When to Use

Cold Medication Antihistamines

Cough suppressant Expectorant

Decongestant

Pain reliever/ Fever reducer

Generic Name

Diphenhydramine Chlorpheniramine

Loratadine Cetirizine ? Common brand names: Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec Dextromethorphan ? Common brand name:

Delysm Guaifenesin ? Common brand names: Robitussin, Mucinex

Pseudoephedrine ? Common brand name:

Sudafed

Acetaminophen ? Common brand name:

Tylenol Ibuprofen ? Common brand names: Advil, Motrin

Aspirin

Purpose

Treat runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing Helpful during first 3 days of cold symptoms in combination with expectorant or decongestant

Controls cough reflex to stop cough

Thins mucus to allow blowing mucus out the nose and or coughing it up to clear airway

Relieves nasal congestion, sinus pressure, ear fullness ? Restricted product ? available without prescription from pharmacist ? More effective than unrestricted phenylephrine/Sudafed PE ? Use fast-acting formula, not extended release to get relief within 2 hours, versus over 8-12 hours

Avoid use of all decongestants ? For children under age 6 ? For patients with lung conditions (asthma, COPD, etc.) to prevent chest tightness and difficulty coughing up mucus ? For patients with heart disease or who take medication for high blood pressure

Relieve pain and reduce fever

Do not use in infants less than 6 months old Do not use if taking Aleve, naproxen, aspirin, diclofenac, prednisone Do not use for children under age 18

When to seek medical care

? Trouble breathing or shortness of breath ? Feel pain or pressure in chest or belly ? Signs of confusion ? Severe vomiting ? Sudden onset of dizziness ? Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears) ? Symptoms last more than 10 days without improvement ? Symptoms are unusual or severe

? Fever lasts more than 3 days ? Cough worsens despite use of cough medicine ? Sinus pain that doesn't improve with analgesics/decongestants

? Goshen Health. All rights reserved. 05.8010-0037 1/20

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