Questions

What are the symptoms of a cold? What are the symptoms of the flu? How can I tell them apart?

• Will I have a fever? How high? How long will it last? Can a high fever be dangerous?
• Will I have a cough? Sore throat? Runny nose? Headache? Other symptoms? How long will these symptoms last? Will I be tired or achy?
• How will I know if I have an ear infection?
• How will I know if I have pneumonia?
• How will I know I have swine (H1N1) flu or other flu?

Can I make other people sick? How can I prevent that? What should I do if I have a young child at home? How about somebody who is older?

When will I start to feel better?

What should I eat or drink? How much?

What medicines can I buy at the store to help with the symptoms?

• Can I take aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)? How about acetaminophen (Tylenol)? How about cold medicines?
• Are there stronger medicines that my doctor can prescribe to help the symptoms?
• Are there vitamins or herbs that will make my cold or flu go away quicker? How do I know if they are safe?

Will antibiotics make my symptoms go away faster?

Are there other medicines that can make the flu go away faster?

How can I keep from getting a cold or the flu?

• Should I get a flu shot? What time of year should I get one? Do I need one or two every year? What are the risks of the flu shot? What are the risks for me if I do not get a flu shot? does the regular flu shot protect me against swine flu?
• Is a flu shot safe for me if I am pregnant?
• Will a flu shot keep me from getting colds all year long?
• Does my smoking or being around smokers cause me to get the flu more easily?
• Are there vitamins or herbs that I can take to prevent the flu?

Alternate Names

What to ask your doctor about colds and the flu - adult; Influenza - what to ask your doctor - adult; Upper respiratory infection - what to ask your doctor - adult; URI - what to ask your doctor - adult; Swine (H1N1) flu - what to ask your doctor - adult

References

Turner RB. The common cold. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 53.

Treanor JJ. Influenza viruses, including avian influenza and swine influenza. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 165.

Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2011.

Seasonal flu: what to do if you get sick. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2011.

Update Date: 2/6/2011

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.