FROM THE DESK OF EMILY HEBERT, MD

Tis the season….for colds and flu that is! As the hot Dallas summer comes to an end and the cooler fall and winter temperatures roll in, so do the infections. Although many feel the cold weather brings on an increase in infections in the winter months, the reality is it’s related to time spent indoors. Most of the viruses we are affected by in the winter months are transmitted through our respiratory secretions, so the closer we are to one another indoors, the more likely we are to spread and contract these infections.

The most common infections in the winter months are colds and flu. They are often lumped together, but are quite different.

Common “Cold”

• Can be caused by many different viruses
  
  
• Typical symptoms include nasal stuffiness and discharge, headache, sometimes cough and occasionally some gastrointestinal symptoms
  
  
• Fever not a common symptom, but can occur in relation to certain viruses
  
  
• Lasts three to seven days
  
  
• Not responsive to antibiotics
  
  
• There is no annual immunization for the common cold

Flu

• Two types of viruses cause the flu, Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2 types) and B; each has many strains
  
  
• Illness can be much more serious than a cold
  
  
• Characterized by the quite sudden onset of feverishness, with a sore throat and nasal discharge, chills, headache, muscle aches and loss of appetite
  
  
• Fever of 100 to 104 degrees typical
  
  
• Usually lasts seven days, sometimes upwards of 10
  
  
• Secondary pneumonia is not uncommon with the flu and can be quite serious
  
  
• Annual flu immunization is available
  

When flu is diagnosed in a timely fashion (within 48 hours), an antiviral medication such as Tamiflu can be prescribed. Tamiflu is not an antibiotic, as the flu is caused by a virus, and it will not get rid of the flu. It works to help decrease the severity of the infection and the time course. It is not helpful outside of the 48-hour time frame.

Because of the many strains of the Influenza A and B, making the formulation of the yearly vaccine is difficult. The vaccine strains must be chosen months ahead of flu season as it is grown in an egg which is a time-consuming process. The influenza viruses in the seasonal flu vaccine are selected each year based on surveillance data indicating which viruses are circulating and forecasts about which viruses are the most likely to circulate during the coming season. It is an imperfect system hence the failure years. But even with that said, Cooper Clinic recommends getting your flu shot every year. It could save your life; thousands die every year from the flu.

The key to surviving the cold and flu season is prevention! Wash your hands frequently, avoid those you know are sick, stay home if you are sick and get an annual flu shot. In addition, keep your body healthy and strong by eating right, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.