[shia_strength] : [friendsofcommunity] Difference between Common Cold & H1N1

Please pass this on to family and friends. Especially people with children!

H1N1 flu is about to be upon us and we need to be on top of information regarding it. Here is a comparison to the normal cold symptoms .
Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Symptom Cold H1N1 Flu

Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.

Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

IN SUMMARY:

COLD: MUCUS PRESENT,STUFFY NOSE, SNEEZES, WET COUGH, SORE THROAT, RARE FEVER, BODY ACHES

H1N1: NO MUCUS, NO SNEEZES, DRY COUGH, NO SORE THROAT, HIGH FEVER, PAINFUL BODY ACHES, DIARRHEA, SEVERE FATIGUE.

A PHARMACY HAS INFORMED US THAT IF DOCTOR DETECTS H1NI FLU AND PRESCRIBES MEDICATION, THE AMOUNT (EXCEPT FOR DISPENSING FEES) FOR H1N1 FLU WILL BE COVERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. PLEASE CHECK THIS INFO.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

Does my child have the common cold, seasonal flu or H1N1?

by Children's Hospital Boston staff on September 30, 2009

By Marvin Harper, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer at Children's Hospital Boston
It can be difficult to tell the difference between seasonal flu, H1N1 and the common cold. Here are some features you can use to help spot the differences:
Cold
Symptoms include stuffy nose and congestion, and usually last three to five days.
Seasonal flu
Symptoms include dry cough, fever, painful body aches, possible nausea and diarrhea, severe fatigue, respiratory problems and dehydration.
H1N1
Symptoms are the same as the seasonal flu, and just like seasonal flu, young children and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness (pneumonia, respiratory failure and death have been reported).
The major difference between H1N1 and the seasonal flu? The virus that causes H1N1 is quite different from the influenza virus to which many people already have some immune protection, due to prior disease or vaccination. As a result, H1N1 is easier to acquire and may cause more symptoms than would typically be experienced with the seasonal influenza virus.
Remember, the best way to avoid getting the cold and the flu (seasonal and H1N1) is to wash your hands, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and get your seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations as soon as they are available.
It is not generally important to specifically determine whether your child has H1N1 or the seasonal flu, but if your child is less than 2 years of age, or in a group that is at increased risk from influenza infections, you should contact your care provider to discuss whether anti-viral treatment may be helpful.
For more information on Flu (seasonal and H1N1) from Children's Hospital Boston, visit http://www.children shospital. org/patientsfami lies/Site1393/ mainpageS1393P38 5.html