Colds Cold Treatment

Why the Flu is Not Just a Bad Cold

Summary & Participants

If you are feeling sick at this time of year - it's important to know the difference between the common cold and the flu.

Medically Reviewed On: August 04, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: When you or your child is sick, it’s important to know the difference between a common cold and the flu.

Steven Lamm, Internist: The common cold is a relatively benign illness, whereas influenza results in 200,000 hospitalizations and approximately 36,000 deaths in the United States on a yearly basis. The typical peak seasons are really December, January, February.

ANNOUNCER: Doctors say the flu will hit you hard and fast

Steven Lamm, Internist: All of a sudden you get fever, you get chills, maybe even shaking chills, severe muscle aches and, you know, nausea. \With influenza it’s a sudden onset, you feel ill, and you feel really ill.

ANNOUNCER: When it comes to being at high-risk for serious complications from the flu, the most vulnerable are children 2 and younger, people 65 and older, diabetics and asthmatics.

Steven Lamm, Internist: There’s a percentage of individuals who go on to develop some of the complications of influenza, which is what really causes the death. I mean, we’re talking about influenza pneumonia; we’re talking about a bacterial super infection.

ANNOUNCER: The flu normally lasts five to seven days, but seeing your doctor can help you feel better faster.

Steven Lamm, Internist: If caught early enough, there are treatments that are available that can shorten the duration of the illness and reduce the complications of influenza.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily!