Is It a Cold? The Flu? Allergies? What Your Symptoms Mean

With flu season in full swing, it's important to know what ails you (so you can help stop the spread by staying home). But how do you really know if you have the flu -- swine or seasonal -- or if it's just another cold or an allergy? Use our handy sympt-o-meter.

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Seasonal Flu

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Key symptom: Fever that comes on fast Best fix: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen If your fever hits 101 degrees fahrenheit or 102 degrees fahrenheit and comes with chest discomfort plus major aches and exhaustion, it's probably the seasonal flu, says Neil Schachter M.D., author of "The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu." Take pain pills for fever and aches, rest, and drink lots of liquids. Those at high risk -- pregnant, elderly, or chronically ill -- may need antiviral meds such as Tamiflu or Relenza. More From Health.com: Stop a Cold in Its Tracks The Top 5 Myths About the Common Cold 7 Natural Cold Remedies

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Key symptom: Fever that comes on fast

Best fix: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen

If your fever hits 101 degrees fahrenheit or 102 degrees fahrenheit and comes with chest discomfort plus major aches and exhaustion, it's probably the seasonal flu, says Neil Schachter M.D., author of "The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu."

Take pain pills for fever and aches, rest, and drink lots of liquids. Those at high risk -- pregnant, elderly, or chronically ill -- may need antiviral meds such as Tamiflu or Relenza.

More From Health.com:
Stop a Cold in Its Tracks
The Top 5 Myths About the Common Cold
7 Natural Cold Remedies

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Comments

[NinaColbert]

07:11 PM on 01/30/2011

This post is a good concise info post on symptoms and treatments.
The only thing I would add is that Allergies can cause a runny nose as wellas itching.
I have had several patients with chronic cough caused by post-nasal drip from chronic sinusutis (allergy-related).
Also I recommend pseudoephrine for a seriously blocked nose, you can purchase it from the pharmacist but you have to show ID.

[Lahn Jung JuLes]

06:46 PM on 01/29/2011

Use of a neti pot is a must for me. It is a wonderful tool to effect immediate relief of nasal congestion. It's good not only for nasal allergies but also for colds and the flu. Check out the link below on "how-to" use a neti pot safely and effectively.

http://www.sinus-allergy-care.com/How-to.html

[merlinspinoza]

05:01 PM on 01/29/2011

http://www.mapi.com/maharishi_ayurveda/research/index-researchimmunity.html

http://www.mapi.com/ayurveda_multimedia/drnancylonsdorf_swineflu_immunity.html

" seed and soil " principle in ayur evda

sniffles indicate a imbalance in the Doshas [ probably Pitta dosha ] and a built up of ama [ gunk ] in the shrotas

the most thorough way to eliminate ama [ better than coughing out the reachable] is maharishi ayur veda panchakarma