Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Winter 2018

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No.44 2865 Daggett Avenue Klamath Falls, OR 97601 You’re sneezing, your nose is stuffed up and you’re tired. In other words, you’re feeling lousy. You’re considering going to the drugstore to pick up some over- the-counter medicines to help relieve your symptoms. But before you do, you might want to ask yourself, “Do I have a cold or the flu?” Symptom check: Cold vs. flu Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SYMPTOM COLD FLU Fever Rare Usual, 100 to 102 degrees— may be higher, especially in young children; lasts 3 to 4 days Headache Rare Common General aches, pains Slight Usual, often severe Fatigue, weakness Sometimes Usual, lasts up to 3 weeks Exhaustion Never Usual, at the beginning of the illness Stuffy nose Common Sometimes Sneezing Usual Sometimes Sore throat Common Sometimes Chest discomfort Sometimes Common Cough Common, hacking Common, can become severe The answer to that question is important because you may want to see your doctor for a prescription medicine if you think you have the flu. Prescription flu drugs (called antivirals) are medicines that can reduce the amount of time you’re sick. They may also reduce your risk for potentially dangerous complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. The catch is that these medications work best when taken within the first 48 hours of developing flu symptoms. Use this chart to help figure out what’s ailing you. We all can’t have a guardian angel, but we can help you move more and stress less. SkyLakes.org/MoveMore