Worried about the flu? No one wants to get the flu or a bad cold. It makes us feel terrible and steals precious time and energy we want to spend on other pursuits. Luckily, there are things you can do to protect yourself from getting sick, or at least to minimize symptoms.

The following three simple practices will go a long way to keeping you healthy:

• Cover your cough - cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Put used tissues in the wastebasket.
• Wash your hands! - always wash your hands with soap and hot water, or use a waterless hand cleanser after:
  • blowing your nose or coughing
  • using the bathroom
  • before and after eating
  • after being in contact with or being near someone who is ill
  • before and after handling and preparing food
  • after touching animals
• Get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water

These practices will help prevent the flu, as well as the common cold and other contagious infections.

Is it a cold or the flu? Check out the following table of symptoms:

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (102-104°F); lasts 3-4 days
Headache	Rare	Common
General Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness	Sometimes	Usual; Can last up to 2-3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Usual; at beginning of illness
Stuffy nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes
Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe
Complications	Sinus congestion or earache	Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening
Prevention (For Both: Wash your hands often and take care of yourself!)	Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold	Annual vaccination: see BC Student Health Services for a flu shot!
Treatment	Only temporary relief of symptoms	Antiviral medicines -- see Health Services

If you are exhibiting any of the flu symptoms listed above (or if any of the listed symptoms, including for a cold, become severe), make sure to call and/or visit Barnard Health Services (x4-2091) before the symptoms worsen.