My cousin sent this to me, and I thought it was interesting enough to share. I don’t know where he got it, so I don’t know how accurate it is, but here we go. I have heard that many medical practices and urgent care centers are asking patients and parents *not* to bring their suspected flu in to offices to be checked, because it’s just spreading the disease more. So.
Some symptomatic Differences between a Cold and (H1N1) Flu Symptoms:
Fever: Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100 degrees F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing: A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches: Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose: Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills: Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness: Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing: Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms: Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache: A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat: Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort: Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
The virus spreads in the same way regular seasonal influenza viruses spreads: person to person through coughing or sneezing. Often people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object & then touching their own face.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it, and then wash your hands with soap and water or with Alcohol-based cleaners
· Wash your hands often with soap and water often, especially after you cough or sneeze.
· When shopping always wipe the cart handles with Alcohol-based cleaners. When using public computers wipe your hands with Alcohol-based cleaners afterwards
· Carry and use small bottles of Alcohol-based cleaners and use them often when in contact with public surfaces
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
· If you are sick keep away from others as much as possible. This is to prevent you from making others sick.
· While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If you are sick and share a common space with other household members in your home,
· Wear an “N95” face mask (Available at Home Depot or Lowes paint department) if you are within six feet of others.
· PLEASE – Protect the health care workers that care for us… Always face away from them while they examine you & never sneeze or cough in their face.
Also have a second (plain stockinette) sock in Panda Cotton (Ravelry link) on the needles, and really ought to finish that up and start the 2nd Yarn-over-Cable sock in Panda Soy (you guessed it, yes, yet another Ravelry link!) made, as well. I am really loving my hand-knit socks this fall, even if they aren’t woolly warm ones. ^_^
