It often seems that colds are just a part of life; most adults will have a common cold two to four times per year with children having colds as many as eight to ten times annually. A common cold is caused by any one of more than 200 viruses with symptoms varying greatly. Every product imaginable is available to help alleviate the symptoms. It is up to you to be an informed consumer and determine if you want to take an over-the-counter medicine; use a natural remedy; or simply wait it out and take nothing. With a cold, you should usually feel better in about a week; if symptoms aren’t improving, you should see your physician to make sure you don’t have a bacterial infection in your lungs, larynx, trachea, sinuses or ears.

Flu season can be more serious, however, and typically runs from late December through March in the United States. Influenza (flu) is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. Therefore, recognizing the symptoms is critical.

Sources: Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.com; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov.