Cold, flu, allergies? The quicker the diagnosis, the faster the recovery
Monday, November 13 2006, 12:14 AM EST
Contributed by: R.J. Ignelzi
SICK DAYS
Your throat is scratchy, your nose is stuffy, and you're sure someone's operating a jackhammer inside your head.
Must be getting a cold, right? Maybe. But, it could also be allergies. Of course, there's always the chance it's sinusitis. And you can only hope and pray it's not the beginning of seasonal flu.
"For the first day or two, it's often difficult to differentiate between a cold and influenza and even allergies," says Dr. William Norcross, medical professor and chief of family medicine at the University of California San Diego Medical Center. "Many of these things are viruses, and they often start out with similar symptoms."
When you're feeling under the weather, you may not care if you have a specific diagnosis. You just want to feel better. However, determining your malady is often necessary in order to treat it appropriately.
Two drug treatments for influenza, Relenza and Tamiflu, have been found to be effective at reducing the duration of symptoms, but only if taken within two days of the onset of the illness. If it takes you or your doctor three days to determine you have the flu rather than a cold, allergies or sinusitis, it's too late to get any benefit from the drugs, Norcross says.
COVER YOUR COUGH
While many of the symptoms of these miseries can be the same or similar, there's usually at least one classic clue that's unique to each. For example, if you experience facial pain, particularly over an eye or in the upper teeth, it's a pretty safe bet you have sinusitis or a sinus infection. Tickly nose and itchy eyes? Probably allergies rather than a cold. And, if you have a dry hacking cough and severe muscle aches, get in bed. You most likely have the flu.
Contrary to popular belief, the color of your nasal discharge doesn't matter. If you see green when you blow your nose, it doesn't necessarily mean you have an infection, Norcross says.
"It can be clear, green, yellow or purple. Of course, if it's purple, you need to see if there's a crayon stuffed up there," he joked.
Besides checking off symptoms, another clue to your illness is how it began and how long it lasts. Colds take a while to kick in. They start with a scratchy throat, sniffles or sneezes and then progress to a runny or congested nose, sore throat and a cough. Most colds run their course in one to two weeks.
The flu, on the other hand, hits hard and fast. Symptoms come on suddenly and include intense body aches, sore throat, hacking cough, pounding headache, debilitating fatigue and a high fever. The worst of it is usually over in a week to 10 days, but the fatigue and cough can last for weeks after that.
Allergies can mimic a cold, but unlike a virus, symptoms don't seem to progress or subside. The scratchy throat, congestion and sneezing of an allergic reaction can last for months with little improvement if exposure to the allergen continues.
Sinusitis can have coldlike or allergylike symptoms and can often develop after a cold or allergy attack. While some sinusitis will dissipate on its own, antibiotics are needed to clear most sinus infections.
KEEPING WELL
Preventive measures for these illnesses also vary. Frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the face (nose, mouth and eyes) can help minimize the risk of a cold or flu virus. Carefully scrubbing bathrooms and washing and encasing bedding in allergen-proof covers can help reduce two common allergens: dust mites and mold. And getting a flu shot this fall can reduce your risk of contracting influenza.
"Getting a flu shot is one of the best things you can do," says Norcross, who adds that he's amazed at "how lackadaisical patients are about influenza."
"I think all Americans were outraged by (the number of people killed in) 9/11. However, every year in this country, 10 times that number of people die from influenza," he says. "People need to take influenza and (the flu vaccine) seriously."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for anyone who wants to decrease the risk of influenza. The CDC says certain people should get vaccinated each year, including pregnant women, those 50 and older, people with chronic medical conditions, nursing home residents and health-care workers.
SIDEBAR
What's ailing you?
Copley News Service
Physicians, along with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offer the following tips to help you determine what's ailing you.
- You have a fever
Cold: Sometimes a slight one; more common in children
Flu: Often a high fever, 102 to 104 F is common, lasting for three to four days.
Allergies: No
Sinusitis: Sometimes
- You have a headache
Cold: Sometimes
Flu: Common, can be intense
Allergies: Common
Sinusitis: Often with facial pain and pressure over an eye or in the upper teeth
- Muscle aches
Cold: Sometimes, mild
Flu: Common, severe
Allergies: No
Sinusitis: No
- Fatigue
Cold: Mild
Flu: Common and severe. Can last for several weeks
Allergies: Sometimes
Sinusitis: Rarely
- Stuffy nose
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes
Allergies: Common
Sinusitis: Common
- Nasal discharge
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes
Allergies: Common
Sinusitis: Common
- Sneezing
Cold: Often
Flu: Rare
Allergies: Frequent sneezing and nasal itching or "tickling" is common
Sinusitis: Sometimes
- Sore throat
Cold: Common
Flu: Very common, can be severe
Allergies: Common, often a result of postnasal drip
Sinusitis: Sometimes due to postnasal drip
- Cough
Cold: Mild to moderate
Flu: Common, dry hacking cough. Can become severe
Allergies: Common, often described as a tickle
Sinusitis: Sometimes, from postnasal drip
- Irritated eyes
Cold: Sometimes
Flu: Rarely
Allergies: Common. Eyes will frequently be itchy, red and teary.
Sinusitis: Eye won't itch but may ache.
- Complications
Cold: Sinusitis, strep throat or earache
Flu: Bronchitis, pneumonia, can be life threatening
Allergies: Sinusitis
Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis if left untreated, infection
- Duration
Cold: One to two weeks
Flu: Most symptoms clear up in a week to 10 days but fatigue and cough can last for weeks
Allergies: Long term, as long as the allergens are present
Sinusitis: More than two weeks, even with treatment
- Prevention
Cold: Frequent hand washing, keeping hands away from face can reduce risk.
Flu: Annual vaccination, wash your hands often and keep hands away from face.
Allergies: Get rid of carpets, encase bedding in allergen-proof covers, scrub mold from bathrooms and kitchens.
Sinusitis: None
- Treatment
Cold: Temporary relief of symptoms, with aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen and maybe a decongestant. Drink liquids and rest.
Flu: Relenza or Tamiflu (by prescription) within 24 to 48 hours after onset of symptoms, bed rest, liquids, aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Allergies: Nasal steroids sprays, prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines
Sinusitis: Antibiotics are needed to treat a sinus infection.
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