Do I Have a Cold Or Swine Flu? And the Number One Prevention Measure

Sometimes it may be difficult to tell. Here are some differences and similarities.

Both the cold and the flu have the following symptoms:

A cough

Sore throat

Stuffy or runny nose

The cold usually has the following symptoms that differ from the swine flu:

Sneezing

Watery eyes

Head ache - usually mild

Body aches - mild

The swine flu usually has

A high fever

Headache - can be mild or moderate in nature

Extreme tiredness

Mild to moderate body aches

In children - diarrhea or vomiting

Generally the swine flu is more severe than the common cold. The cold generally will go away with rest and fluids. A person with swine flu may be to be hospitalized if it turns into pneumonia.

Prevention

The number one method of preventing the swine flu (or any contagious illness) is to practice excellent hand hygiene. In other words - WASH YOUR HANDS and do it often!

Do you know how to properly wash your hands? Well you probably think that you do - but let us see.

When should you wash your hands?

Before eating or touching any food

After going to the bathroom

After touching any doorknob (or open any door) in public

Before touching any part of your face

After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose

Any how do you wash your hands?

1. In a public bathroom - if you have to touch the lever to get paper towels, do it now. But do not touch the towels.
2. Turn on the water - should make it very warm (but not hot)
3. Wet both of your hands
4. Put soap on your hands.
5. Rub them vigorously for at least 20 seconds. (If you cannot judge 20 seconds accurately then sing "Happy Birthday" twice or say your ABCs slowly.)
6. Rinse your hands thoroughly.
7. Turn off the water with your paper towels and get additional towels.
8. Dry hands with towels.
9. Open bathroom door with towels and throw them in the garbage.