Facts About Cold and Flu Season

Devin Bell, DO

Dr. Devin Bell is a family physician at BJC Medical Group at Progress West Hospital in O’Fallon.  He sees patients for annual physicals, as well as other common and specialized reasons. Dr. Bell is committed to helping his patients enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Listen to the Interview:

We hear a lot about cold and flu season.  Please tell us the difference between having a cold and having the flu and the symptoms associated with each.

The symptoms can often be similar, but a big difference I see is that flu has a very sudden onset. Usually having a cold involves a gradual onset, but with the flu, patients tell me it happened at this exact moment. When you see that abrupt onset, along with high fever and severe body aches, those are the three big symptoms of having the flu as opposed to having a common cold. A cold also usually has a runny nose, maybe a sore throat and a mild cough. Having the flu usually has a few less of those symptoms, and the cough is much more severe.

Are there preventative measures I can take to help decrease my risk of getting a cold or the flu….and spreading it to others?

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, but we try to avoid close contact whenever we can, washing your hands can be helpful, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing and then washing your hands afterwards…these are common methods to help prevent the spread of the flu and common cold. The flu vaccine also helps protect against several strains of the flu.

If I received the flu vaccine last year, am I still covered for this flu season?  When should I get the flu shot?

The flu shot is a once-a-year immunization. We get our vaccines around September 1 and it goes through February. We ask patients to be immunized once-a-year. You can get it at your doctor’s office and at many convenience stores.

When should I see a doctor if I am feeling bad? And what should I expect during the visit if I go to the doctor and possibly have the flu?

If it gets to the point where your fevers aren’t being controlled by Tylenol or ibuprofen, or if your headaches are so unbearable and aren’t being controlled with Tylenol or ibuprofen, it’s a reasonable time to go see your doctor and discuss if it’s more than just a common cold. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between having a virus that will just run its course or something more intense like the flu.

One of the things you can expect in the office visit is possibly getting a test for the flu. It involves spraying a small amount of water into the nose and suctioned back out to test for the virus in the nasal cells. Unfortunately, there aren’t always tests for the common cold. Antibiotics are typically used to treat bacterial infection. Since neither the cold nor flu is caused by bacteria, you may not receive antibiotics unless the doctor sees something that is bacterial in nature.

Are there multiple treatment options for the cold and flu?

Yes, most of them involve treating the symptoms. The old adage of rest and hydration – that’s great in this situation. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. There are over-the-counter options like decongestants and antihistamines to help with a runny nose, cough and congestion. There’s also Tamiflu, a prescription medication, given in the early stages of the flu to hopefully shorten its duration. It’s not recommended in every situation – talk to your provider to see if it’s a good option for you.