By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

EVEN WITHOUT VACCINE, YOU CAN TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THE FLU

Question: Because of the vaccine shortage, I will not be getting a flu shot this year. How can I tell the difference between a simple cold and the flu? Is there anything the doctor can do for me if I get the flu? Can I really do anything to prevent it?
Answer: The primary reason that flu vaccine is given is to prevent the serious complications that a high-risk person might encounter if he or she came down with the flu. For many years we’ve been fortunate enough to be able to give flu vaccine not only to high-risk people but to almost everyone who wanted it. This widespread inoculation has been a good thing and has greatly reduced the number of cases of influenza.

This year, unfortunately, is an exception. With a shortage of vaccine, public health officials are asking that only those in high risk groups be given flu shots. While this might result in higher numbers of cases of flu in the general population, it will help control the spread to those to whom it could be lethal -- the elderly, the frail and the very young.

Influenza and the common cold are both viral respiratory illnesses, which can make them difficult to distinguish from each other. The symptoms of influenza are generally worse than those associated with a cold. Influenza symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue and a dry cough. A cold tends to be a milder infection that is characterized by a runny or stuffy nose and a mild cough. Another difference is that a cold often comes on gradually over a period of a day or two, while influenza starts rather abruptly in many cases.

That said, based on clinical symptoms alone, it can still sometimes be difficult to tell a cold from the flu. That’s why in some situations your doctor may ask for special blood tests to confirm his or her suspicions that you have the flu. If the diagnosis is influenza, you may be given an anti-viral medication. To be effective, though, it needs to be started within two days of the onset of your symptoms. If it is, the medication can often shorten the course of your illness and make you less contagious to others.

The steps needed to prevent all viral respiratory illnesses are basically the same. Here are two important tips to help you get through the upcoming cold and flu season.

First, stay away from people who are ill. This is not always possible, depending on your line of work. Sales people, health-care workers and others in direct contact with the public cannot do this and still do their jobs. But cutting down on visiting people who are ill and limiting out-of-the-home activities to only those which are necessary can help keep you well.

Second, practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel in your pocket or purse to use when soap and water aren’t available. Keep your hands away from your nose, mouth and eyes. If you have virus on your hands, biting your fingernails, picking your nose or rubbing your eyes can let the virus into your system.

And if you do become ill in spite of these precautions, please cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. Also, stay home from work and don’t venture out until you’re fully recovered. Remember -- the influenza virus can still be shed from your respiratory tract for several days after you feel well.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.