Symptoms of colds, flu, pneumonia and meningitis Symptoms of colds, flu, pneumonia and meningitis can be
similar. Mistaking one for the other could mean an extended illness and serious complications.
So how do you know what you have?
You can print a poster of this information
for easy reference.
Colds are inconvenient but usually not serious and can be treated at home
(see Tips for treating yourself for treatment suggestions). Symptoms may last
4-14 days and may include:
Runny nose and/or sneezing
Coughing
Sore throat
Head and body aches
Low fever (less than 101° F)
Congestion of the ears, nose, throat and head
Flu typically hits in Michigan December-March. Acute symptoms last 3-4 days,
and cough may linger for 3 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms are rare. Your clinician may prescribe
an anti-viral medication. Complications are not common in young, otherwise healthy adults. Symptoms
include:
Pneumonia can be serious and even fatal. See a clinician if you experience
symptoms, which include:
High fever (greater than 101° F)
Cough that produces thick, brown or bloody phlegm
Chills
Chest pain while breathing
Meningitis requires immediate medical
care. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical. Meningitis
can be caused by viruses or bacteria, and bacterial
meningitis can be fatal if untreated. If you experience
meningitis symptoms, consult your clinician or go
to an emergency room immediately. Symptoms include:
High fever (greater than 101° F)
Severe, sudden headache accompanied by any of the following:
Mental changes (e.g. agitation or confusion
Neck or back stiffness
Rash on any part of the body (commonly the armpits, groin, ankles)
Foul smelling, brown or bloody drainage
Severe sinus and/or facial discomfort
Headache
Mild pain
Pain that improves with non-prescription pain reliever (e.g. acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
Blurred vision, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
Neck or back stiffness
Mental changes (e.g. agitation or confusion)
Severe headache with fever greater than 101° F and rash on any part of the body
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY!
Body ache
General aches
Persistant pain in abdomen
Fatigue
Genaral tiredness
Excessive fatigue
Earache
Stuffy or clogged ears
Pain or discharge from ears
Tips for treating yourself
Listen to your body. If you feel well enough to exercise, it may help to counter the muscle
weakness that often accompanies a cold or flu. Don't overdo it - cut back on the intensity and duration
of your usual workout until your muscle fatigue abates, then build up again slowly. Intense activity
may increase discomfort and lower your resistance to additional infection.
Drink plenty of fluids. Drink as much water and juice
as possible - preferably two quarts per day - to help
counter the dehydration that causes much of the discomfort
associated with fever. Fluids are also important for
loosening and removing secretions and stuffiness from
the body. Fluids may also help soothe a sore throat.
Alcohol tends to dehydrate, so try to avoid it.
Refrain from smoking. Smoking makes it difficult for your body to eliminate mucous from the lungs and
may predispose you to bronchitis or pneumonia. This would be a good time to consider quitting! See
Tobacco: You Can Quit!. If you choose not to quit, reduce
the number of cigarettes you smoke while sick.
To relieve a sore throat, drink plenty of fluids. Gargle with warm water (you can add salt) to help
reduce any inflammation. Keep your throat moist by using a vaporizer or sucking on throat lozenges or
ice cubes made from fruit juice.
For congestion, try sleeping on your back with your head raised on two or three pillows. You may find
additional relief with oral and/or nasal decongestants (see Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications).
For sore nose and chapped lips, apply petroleum jelly or emollient lotion. A 0.5-1% hydrocortisone cream
applied three times a day may also provide relief to a red, irritated nose.
Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications for colds and flu
The UHS Pharmacy 734-764-7387 sells a variety of
non-prescription cold and flu medications.
Some overall tips:
It's usually best to take a single medicine targeted for a particular symptom rather than an all-in-one
preparation.
Generic versions are as effective and usually cheaper than brand-name versions.
Use caution when combining medications. If you're taking more than one medication, consult your
pharmacist or clinician.
Be sure to read warning labels, follow instructions and use medications only when necessary.
Analgesics reduce body aches, headaches and fever.
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol, Panadol) is a painkiller and fever reducer. Doesn't irritate the stomach.
Safe for people allergic to aspirin.
Aspirin is a painkiller, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory with relatively few side effects. May
irritate stomach, so take with food. Not recommended if under age 19 due to association with Reye's
syndrome.
Ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Nuprin) is a painkiller, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory. May irritate
stomach, so take with food.
Ketoprofen (e.g. Orudis, Actron) is a painkiller, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory. Has same
effect as ibuprofen at a much lower dose. May irritate stomach, so take with food.
Naproxen sodium (e.g. Aleve) is a painkiller, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory. Pain relief
lasts 8-12 hours, about twice as long as other painkillers. May irritate stomach, so take with food.
Antihistamines (e.g Benedryl, Chlortrimeton, Tavist-1) dry mucous membranes and make breathing
easier.
May cause dryness of the nose and mouth.
Often cause drowsiness, so should not be used while driving or operating machinery.
Decongestants (e.g. Sudafed, Afrin Nasal Spray) shrink swollen nasal
membranes and make breathing easier.
May act as a stimulant in some people.
Most effective when taken orally but may also be taken as nose drops or sprays.
Should be used with caution by people with high blood pressure.
Nasal drops/sprays are not advised for more than 3 days because they may actually increase
congestion (called "rebound effect").
Cough expectorants (e.g. Robitussin) may loosen
secretions and make coughs more productive.
Cough suppressants (e.g. Diphenhydramine syrup, Hold DM) reduce sensitivity
to the cough reflex so you cough less. Good for coughs that prevent sleeping.
Lozenges and throat sprays (e.g. Chloraseptic, Cepastat, Halls) temporarily
relieve the pain of a sore throat. Dissolve lozenges slowly in the mouth. Continuous use may cause
nausea.
Antiviral drugs, available by prescription, may decrease the severity and duration of illness if
taken within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.
Antiviral drugs may also be used during a local outbreak to prevent influenza in people who are at
high risk of complications and who have not been previously vaccinated.
Anitbiotics are not effective against the viruses that cause colds and flu. Viruses multiply
within the body's cells where antibiotics generally cannot reach. And unnecessary antibiotic use disrupts
the body's natural balance of organisms and increases resistance. For more information, see
Antibiotics: Less is More.
Alternative treatments for cold and flu include
chicken soup, echinacea, zinc lozenges and vitamin C. These treatments may reduce duration
and severity of cold symptoms but their effects are not proven and they are not regulated
by the US Food and Drug Administration, so purity and dosage of products is not ensured.
UHS offers the following cautions:
If you use zinc lozenges, make sure to reduce intake down to Recommended Daily Allowance
(15 mg for men and 12 mg for women) after your cold. Over the long term, too much zinc (more
than 50-100 mg per day) may weaken your immune system, interfere with absorption of other
minerals and lower your HDL ("good") cholesterol.
If you take vitamin C supplements, be aware that more than 500 mg per day may lead to cramps,
diarrhea and kidney stones. Chewable vitamin C also erodes tooth enamel.
Please consult your clinician or the following resources for more information about alternative
treatments:
To visit UHS see Appointment or Walk-in. We encourage you
to call 734-764-8325 for advice about the best way to visit. You may be able to make a same-day
appointment. Note that UHS offers a Rapid Strep Test without
appointment.
For advice during open hours, you may call your clinician or
ask-a-nurse at 734-763-4511. For gynecological concerns, call the Gynecology
Clinic at 734-763-9184.
For advice when UHS is closed: If you have an urgent (but not life-threatening) health problem
that cannot wait until UHS opens, call 734-662-5674.
