RED FLAGS WHAT IS A COLD/FLU? If you experience any of the following
symptoms you should seek immediate care: Colds and flu are the number 1 reason students visit the Office of Health Services. Stiff neck (can’t touch your chin to your chest). Flu is short for influenza, a virus that affects TREATMENT Severe, persistent headache. your nose, throat and lungs. Flu symptoms Red or purple rash come on suddenly and affect the body all over. Cold Seizure Cold symptoms mostly affect you above the Get extra rest. Sudden repeated vomiting. neck. Colds occur throughout the year. Flu Drink plenty of liquids. Hot water, herbal tea, most commonly occurs in winter. Pain in the upper right area of the abdomen or chicken soup will help relieve congestion. Stomach flu is not influenza. Rapid changes in your mental status. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve Increased pulse and breathing rate. aches. CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS Shortness of breath, loss of consciousness. Humidify your bedroom and take hot showers Fever over 101 or 100 for more than 3 to relieve nasal stuffiness. Common cold days. Gargle with warm salt water or Listerine. The common cold is caused by any one of Nasal congestion with facial pain or pain If your nose is read and raw put a bit of 200 viruses. The symptoms include a runny in the upper teeth. Vaseline on the sore area. nose, red eyes, sneezing, sore throat, and dry Mucous coughed up from the lungs that is Avoid cold remedies that combine drugs such cough. As the cold progresses nasal drainage yellow, green, rust colored and other as decongestants, antihistamines, and pain may thicken. This is the stage before a cold symptoms are worsening. dries up. A cold usually lasts about one or two relievers. Treat each symptom separately. A sore throat that is bright red or has white Use nasal decongestant sprays for only three weeks. spots. days or less. Continued use may lead to a An earache “rebound effect when the mucous membranes Influenza A cough with shortness of breath, chest Influenza or “flu” is a viral illness that affects swell up more than before using the spray. tightness, chest pain or difficulty sleeping many people at once (epidemic). Influenza has or lying down. symptoms similar to a cold, but they are usually Influenza (Flu) A productive cough that lingers more than more severe and come on quite suddenly. Get plenty of rest. 7 to 10 days after other symptoms have Symptoms include fever (101 – 104), chills, Drink extra fluids, at least one glass of water cleared muscle aches, headache, fatigue, weakness, of juice every waking hour. sneezing and runny nose. Symptoms may last Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve five to seven days. fever, headache, and muscle aches. PREVENTION ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY Wash your hands often. Use an instant hand 6001 University Blvd. sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands. Moon Township, PA 15108-1189 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Don’t smoke Keep up your resistance to infection with a Jefferson Center good diet, plenty of rest, and regular exercise. Phone: 412-397-6220 Try not to touch people or their things when Fax: 412-397-6319 they have a cold of the flu. Get a flu shot each fall if your health care provider advises. Hours of Operation
Monday--Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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