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Coughs

Respiratory conditions

A cough is a reflex action. It clears the lungs and airways of irritants, mucus, a foreign body, etc.

Signs & Symptoms

There are 3 kinds of Coughs

* Productive. This cough brings up mucus or phlegm.

* Nonproductive. This cough is dry. It doesn’t bring up any mucus.

* Reflex. This cough is from a problem somewhere else like the ear or stomach.

Causes

* Tobacco smoke. Dry air.

* Asthma.

* An allergy or an infection.

* Acid reflux from the stomach.

* Certain medications, like ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure.

* Something stuck in the windpipe.

* A collapsed lung.

* A growth or tumor in the bronchial tubes or lungs.

Treatment

How to treat a cough depends on what kind it is, what caused it, and other symptoms. Treat the cause and soothe the irritation. Self-care can treat most coughs. If the cause is due to a medical condition, treatment for that condition is needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Coughs that Bring Up Mucus

* Drink plenty of liquids.

* Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.

* Use a cool-mist vaporizer, especially in the bedroom. Put a humidifier on the furnace.

* Take a shower. The steam helps thin mucus.

* Use an over-the-counter expectorant medicine, as directed. This helps you spit out phlegm or mucus. Try a decongestant for postnasal drip.

For Coughs that Are Dry

* Drink lots of liquids. Hot drinks like tea with lemon and honey soothe the throat.

* Suck on cough drops or hard candy. (Don’t give these to children under age 5.)

* Take an over-the-counter cough medicine that has dextromethorphan.

* Make your own cough medicine. Mix 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts honey. (Don’t give this to children less than 1 year old.)

Other Tips

* Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid chemical gases that can hurt your lungs.

* Don’t give children under age 5 small objects that can easily get caught in the throat or windpipe. Examples are buttons, balloons, peanuts, and popcorn. Even adults should be careful to chew and swallow foods slowly so they don’t “go down the wrong way.”

* If you cough and have heartburn symptoms when you lie down, try a liquid antacid. Don’t lie down for 2 to 3 hours after you eat.

Resources

American Lung Association

800.LUNG.USA (586.4872)

www.lungusa.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Corns & Calluses

Skin Conditions

Corns and calluses are extra cells made in a skin area that gets repeated rubbing or squeezing.

Signs & Symptoms

* Corns are areas of dead skin on the tops or sides of the joints or on the skin between the toes.

* Calluses are patches of dead skin usually found on the balls or heels of the feet, on the hands, and on the knees. Calluses are thick and feel hard to the touch.

Common sites on the bottom of the foot for corns and calluses.

Causes

Footwear that fits poorly causes corns and calluses. So can activities that cause friction on the hands, knees, and feet.

Treatment

Self-care treats most cases. If not, a family doctor or foot doctor (podiatrist) can scrape the hardened tissue and peel away the corn with stronger solutions. Sometimes warts lie beneath corns and need to be treated, too.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

{Note: Persons with diabetes should see a doctor for treatment for foot problems.}

For Corns

* Don’t pick at corns. Don’t use toenail scissors, clippers, or any sharp tool to cut off corns.

* Don’t wear shoes that fit poorly or that squeeze your toes together.

* Soak your feet in warm water to soften the corn.

* Cover the corn with a protective, nonmedicated pad or bandage which you can buy at drug stores.

* If the outer layers of a corn have peeled away, apply a nonprescription liquid of 5 to 10% salicylic acid. Gently rub the corn off with cotton gauze.

* Ask a shoe repair person to sew a metatarsal bar onto your shoe to use when a corn is healing.

For Calluses

* Don’t try to cut a callus off.

* Soak your feet in warm water to soften the callus. Pat it dry.

* Rub the callus gently with a pumice stone.

* Cover calluses with protective pads. You can get these at drug stores.

* Don’t wear poorly fitting shoes or other sources of friction that may lead to calluses.

* Wear gloves for a hobby or work that puts pressure on your hands.

* Wear knee pads for activities that put pressure on your knees.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Copd

Respiratory conditions

The letters COPD are for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is lung disease that worsens over time. With COPD, airways are narrowed and blocked. The lungs are damaged. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe in and out. In the U.S. and throughout the world, COPD is a major cause of illness and death. Most often, COPD is due to one or both of these problems:

* Chronic bronchitis. This causes swelling and the build-up of mucus in the lungs.

* Emphysema. This damages the walls of the air sacs in the lungs.

Signs & Symptoms

* A chronic cough. The cough brings up mucus or phlegm.

* Shortness of breath. This is usually worse with exercise or when you exert yourself.

* Feeling like you can’t take a full, deep breath

* Chest tightness

* Wheezing. This is a whistling sound when you breathe.

* Frequent colds and other respiratory infections

* Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet

Symptoms of COPD usually start after 40 years of age and slowly worsen over time.

Diagnosis

COPD is usually diagnosed with a breathing test called spirometry. Spirometry measures how much air your lungs can hold and how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It is a simple and fast test. Your doctor or nurse technician will ask you to take a deep breath and then breathe out as hard and as fast as you can into a mouthpiece. The spirometer will measure and record the results.

A chest X-ray or CT scan can also diagnose COPD. Sometimes, a blood sample is taken to test levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

Causes

* Smoking. This is the main cause. More than 90 percent of people with COPD are smokers or former smokers.

* Breathing in other lung irritants over a long period of time. These include air pollution and dust or chemicals used in the mining and textile industries.

* In some rare cases, having a genetic disorder called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This is due to a defective protein in the blood.

When to Seek Medical Care

Reasons to Call Your Health Care Provider

* You have a much harder time catching your breath.

* You have sudden tightness in your chest.

* You cough a lot more, it becomes difficult to cough, or you cough up yellow, green, brown or red-colored mucus.

* You have a fever.

* You have heart palpitations or a faster pulse than usual.

* You have a sudden increase or loss of appetite.

* You have blurry vision or see double.

* You become unusually dizzy or sleepy or you can’t think clearly.

* You are anxious or depressed.

Reasons to Get Emergency Care

* Your lips or fingernails are blue or gray.

* It is hard for you to talk or walk.

* Your breathing is fast and hard, even after taking medicine.

* Your heart is beating very fast or irregularly.

Prevention

The best way to prevent COPD is to not smoke. If you smoke, commit to quit! Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter or prescribed medications that can help you quit. To increase your chances of success, take part in a stop smoking class or program.

* Avoid secondhand smoke and other lung irritants.

* If you work in an at-risk industry, wear protective clothing and equipment. Follow the safety measures of your workplace.

You can get help to quit smoking from:

1-877-44U-QUIT (448-7848)

1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)

www.lungusa.org

www.smokefree.gov

Treatment

Work with your health care provider to develop and follow a treatment plan to meet your needs.

Medications

* Bronchodilators relieve shortness of breath and keep airways open.

* Anticholinergics relax airway muscles.

* Inhaled steroids reduce swelling in the airways.

* Antibiotics and antiviral drugs treat infections that occur with COPD and that make it worse.

Oxygen Therapy

Your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy if oxygen levels in your blood are too low. Oxygen is provided by an oxygen cylinder or concentrator and delivered through a nasal tube. It can help you be more active and lead a better life.

* Use your oxygen, as advised by your doctor or care specialist.

* Do not smoke or let people around you smoke while oxygen is in use.

* Before you travel, ask your doctor how to have your oxygen needs met. Discuss where you plan to go and your method of travel. If you are flying, check with the airline for rules about traveling with oxygen. You may need a letter from your doctor or copies of your oxygen prescription, so plan ahead.

Vaccines

People who have COPD are more likely to be sicker longer and may have more serious health problems when they get the flu or pneumonia.

* Get a yearly flu shot. Get information fromwww.cdc.gov/fluor 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

* Get a pneumonia vaccine, as advised by your doctor.

* Lower your risk of illness. Wash your hands often with soap and water and keep them away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. When you can’t wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand cleaners. Avoid crowded places when possible.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

You work with a team of health care providers to create a personal treatment plan and set goals. You learn to manage your COPD to live a more normal life. Pulmonary rehabilitation includes:

* Exercise. This strengthens your muscles and improves your endurance. It makes it easier for you to move, do activities, and take care of yourself. You will find out how often to exercise, for how long, and how hard to push yourself.

* Emotional Support. Many people who have COPD also deal with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Some programs offer emotional support, group counseling, and/or relaxation training.

* Disease Education. You will learn how to quit smoking, eat healthy, and manage symptoms.

Self-Care

Quit smoking! This is the most important thing you can do to manage your COPD.

Learn your triggers and know how to avoid them.

* Don’t smoke.

* Control household triggers, such as dust. Wear a filter mask when you vacuum, dust, and do hobbies or work that involve dust and other irritants. Use a damp (not dry) cloth for dusting.

* Keep your home well-ventilated.

* Do not use aerosols, ammonia, lye, kerosene, powders or solvents. Find out about products that are safe for you and the environment at Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House atwww.epa.gov/iaqandwww.epa.gov.

* Stay inside when air quality is poor. Find Air Quality Index forecasts fromwww.airnow.gov.

* Follow your health care provider’s advice for using air filters and air purifiers.

Manage your coughing.

* Do not take over-the-counter cough or other medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Your health care provider can teach you techniques for coughing comfortably and productively.

* Unless you are told by your doctor to limit your fluids, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep mucus thin and easier to cough up.

Practice pursed lip breathing to relieve shortness of breath:

* Relax. Close your mouth. Breathe in through your nose. Do this slowly and count: one, two.

* Purse your lips like you are going to whistle. Breathe out slowly and count: one, two, three, and four.

* Do not do this tight-lipped.

Resources

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

800.7.ASTHMA (727.8462)

www.aafa.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

301.592.8573

www.nhlbi.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Constipation In Children

Children’s Health

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

Constipation is when you can’t pass solid waste, or stool. (Passing stool is also called “having a bowel movement.”) Constipation is not usually serious. Here are some reasons for constipation:

* Your child has the flu or some other sickness.

* Your child isn’t getting enough water.

* Your child is holding in the bowel movement because he or she:

– Has a bad diaper rash.

– Has a tear in the rectum (the opening where stool comes out).

– Is being toilet trained.

Sometimes a child won’t have a bowel movement for many days. They may start getting stains in their underpants. This is called “soiling.” It is a sign of a bigger problem.

You can do things to help your child’s stool be softer. This makes it easier to pass. (See the Self-Care Tips in this section.) Don’t give your child a laxative or an enema unless the doctor tells you to. (Laxatives and enemas are medicines for constipation.) Your child doesn’t have to pass stool every day.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

* Give your child lots of water and other things to drink. (This is very important when the weather is hot.)

* Give your child prune juice.

* To help your baby pass stool, lie the baby on his or her back. Move the baby’s legs like he or she is riding a bicycle. Or bend your baby’s legs at the knees and hold them up to your baby’s chest.

* Don’t give honey to an infant.

* Feed your child foods with fiber:

– Babies 6 months old and older can have whole wheat baby cereal.

– Older children can eat fruit, and whole-wheat breads and cereals, and vegetables.

* Try giving your baby light Karo® syrup. (You can get it at the grocery store.) Here’s how to give it to your baby:

– Put 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of syrup in 4 ounces of water.

OR

– Put 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of syrup in 4 ounces of formula.

Note: You may have to give your child an over-the-counter medicine. Be sure to check with the doctor first. Some medicines are:

* Mineral oil. (Don’t give mineral oil to a child under 3 years old.)

* Glycerin suppositories.

* Laxatives like Colace® or Metamucil®.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Constipation

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Constipation is having trouble passing stool or having hard stools. “Regularity” does not mean that you have a bowel movement every day. Normal bowel habits range from 3 movements a day to 3 each week. What is more important is what is normal for you.

Signs & Symptoms

* A hard time passing stool. Not being able to pass stool. Having very hard stool.

* Straining to have a bowel movement.

* Abdominal swelling. The feeling of continued fullness after passing stool.

Causes

* Drinking too few fluids. Not eating enough dietary fiber.

* Not being active enough.

* Not going to the bathroom when you have the urge to pass stool.

* Misuse of laxatives.

* A side effect of some heart, pain, and antidepressant medicines, as well as, antacids, antihistamines, and water pills.

* Chronic illnesses that slow the digestive tract. Examples are diabetes and an underactive thyroid.

* Cancer or other diseases of the bowel.

Treatment

Self-care usually treats constipation. You may also need to talk to your doctor about health problems and medicines that could cause the problem.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Eat foods high in dietary fiber. Examples are bran, whole-grain breads and cereals, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

* Drink at least 1-1/2 to 2 quarts fluids every day. Have hot water, tea, etc. to stimulate the bowel.

* Get enough exercise.

* Don’t resist the urge to pass stool.

* If you take antacids or iron supplements and get constipated easily, discuss the use of these with your doctor.

* Take stool softeners (e.g., Colace), fiber supplements (e.g., Metamucil), “stimulant” laxatives (e.g., Ex-Lax), or enemas, as directed on the label and by your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Colorectal Cancer

Cancer

In the U.S., cancer in the colon or rectum is the 4th most common type of cancer diagnosed in men and women. Finding cancers of the colon and rectum in their early stages allows for more successful treatment.

Discuss screening for colorectal cancer with your doctor if you are age 45 and older (earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer).

To help prevent colon cancer, get to and stay at a healthy weight. Get regular physical activity. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Limit red meat and processed meats, like hot dogs and sausage. Also, avoid or limit alcohol and quit smoking.

Learn more about colorectal cancer, including current guidelines on screening methods fromcancer.gov/types/colorectal.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Colon & Rectal Cancers

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

The colon and rectum form the large bowel. The colon is the upper 5 to 6 feet. The rectum is the last 6 to 8 inches. When abnormal cells grow in the colon, a cancerous tumor may form. Colon tumors grow slowly. They may get big and block the bowel.

Signs & Symptoms

Colon and rectal cancers can occur without clear symptoms. For this reason, screening is important. When symptoms occur, they include:

* A change in bowel habits for 2 or more weeks or constipation or diarrhea for 1 or more weeks.

* Frequent gas pains, cramps, bloating, or feelings of fullness in the abdomen

* Red or dark blood in or on the stool or rectal bleeding. Pencil thin stools.

* Fatigue and/or iron deficiency anemia in men and older women

* A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely

* Weight loss for no known reason

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

Risk factors for colon and rectal cancers:

* Polyps (benign growths that can become cancerous over time). Most colon and rectal cancers develop from polyps.

* Family history of colon or rectal cancer. Unless it is treated, an inherited condition called Familial Polyposis puts a person at a very high risk.

* Having ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

* Aging. Colon and rectal cancers occur most often in people over age 50.

* Smoking. Heavy alcohol use.

* Eating a diet high in animal fat and low in fiber

* Lack of exercise and/or being very overweight

Finding and treating the cancer early is vital. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Self-Care / Prevention

Self-Care:

* Schedule and go to follow-up exams.

* Join a cancer support group.

* Follow a high fiber, low-fat diet. Eat whole-grain breads and cereals. Have at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits a day.

Prevention

Colon and rectal cancers are completely curable if found early. Have screening tests as advised by your doctor.

* High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test

* Flexible sigmoidoscopy

* Colonoscopy

How often testing needs to be done depends on the test(s) given. {Note: If you have a family history of colon polyps or colon or rectal cancers, screening tests may need to be started sooner than age 50.}

* Have colon polyps removed.

* Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit fat.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* You have any symptoms of colon and rectal cancer listed on this page.

* You need to schedule screening tests for colon and rectal cancer. Follow the schedule your doctor advises.

Resources

The National Cancer Institute

800.4.CANCER (422-6237)

www.cancer.gov

The American Cancer Society

800.227.2345

www.cancer.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Colic

Children’s Health

Babies cry when they are hungry, sick, too hot, etc. In general, babies start to have colic when they are about three weeks old. The colic worsens at around six weeks of age and stops by 3 months of age. Colic does not harm babies, but is very hard on parents and caretakers.

Signs & Symptoms

* Fussy crying occurs for no known reason. The baby is not hungry, sick, in pain, etc. The crying lasts for minutes to hours at a time.

* The baby may pull his or her knees up to the stomach.

* Colic episodes often occur in the evening.

Causes

The exact cause is not known. Babies with colic are very, very sensitive to stimulation. Noises in the house bother them. Also, they may need to be cuddled more than babies without colic.

Bottle feeding too fast (less than 20 minutes) or giving too much formula can trigger colic episodes. So can foods the breast-feeding mother eats (e.g., caffeine, dairy products, and nuts).

Treatment

After other medical problems are ruled out, colic is treated by finding out and getting rid of colic triggers and giving comfort to the baby.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Be sure the baby has enough to eat. Check with the baby’s doctor about trying a new formula.

* Try different bottle nipples. Make the hole bigger if it is too small. Cut across the hole that is already there. (You will make an X- shaped hole.) Here’s how to find out if the hole is too small:

– Put cold formula in the bottle.

– Turn the bottle upside down.

– Count the drops of formula that fall out. If the drops come out slower than 1 drop per second, the hole is too small.

* Don’t allow smoking in your home.

* Do not give fruit juice (e.g., apple juice, pear juice) to infants younger than 6 months old.

* Hold the baby up for feeding. Keep holding the baby up for awhile after feeding.

* Burp the baby after each ounce of formula or every few minutes when breast-feeding.

* Use a pacifier, but never put a pacifier on a string around the baby’s neck.

* Give the baby a warm bath and a massage.

* Wrap or swaddle the baby snugly in a soft blanket. Rock him or her or use a baby swing.

* Try the “colic carry.” Lay the baby on his or her stomach across your arm. Put the baby’s face in your hand and let the legs straddle your inner elbow. Hold the baby’s back with your other hand so he or she won’t fall. Walk around like this for awhile.

* Carry the baby while you vacuum. Use a baby carrier that you wear on your back or chest.

* Play soft, gentle music.

* Take your baby for a stroller or car ride.

* Run the dryer or dishwasher. Buckle your baby in a baby seat. Lean the seat against the side of the dryer or on the counter near the dishwasher. The sounds from these machines may help the baby fall asleep. Stay with your baby. Make sure the heat or steam won’t hurt the baby.

* Don’t give the baby antacids like Maalox or simethicone drops unless a doctor tells you to.

* Let your baby cry himself or herself to sleep if nothing else helps and your baby has been fed within 2-1/2 hours. Do call the doctor if the baby cries for more than 2 hours without stopping.

* Get someone else to take care of your baby if you get too stressed. Get some rest.

Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics

www.aap.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Colds & Flu

Children’s Health

Colds and flu are infections of the nose and throat. Both are caused by viruses.

It can be hard to tell if your child has a cold or the flu. Why? They both have the same type of symptoms. But symptoms for the flu are worse than ones for a cold. Flu symptoms come on fast. Ones for a cold come on slower.

Signs & Symptoms

Prevention

Antibiotics do not treat colds and flu. Most colds clear up in about a week. Sometimes, a cold lasts up to 2 weeks.

Fever and most flu symptoms usually go away after 5 days, but coughing and feeling weak can last up to 2 weeks.

To Help Prevent Colds and Flu

* Take your child for a yearly flu vaccine as advised.

* Don’t smoke or let your child smoke.

* Keep your child away from persons who have the flu or a cold.

* See that your child eats and sleeps well and gets lots of exercise.

Tell your child to do these things:

* Wash your hands often. Keep them away from your nose, eyes, and mouth.

* Cover your nose when you sneeze. Use a handkerchief or tissues when you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. This helps prevent passing germs to others.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

Have your child do these things:

* Rest.

* Drink lots of liquids. They help clear out the respiratory tract. This can help prevent other problems, like bronchitis.

* Eat chicken soup. It helps clear out mucus.

If your child’s throat is sore, have him or her do these things:

* Gargle every few hours with 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water, if able to. (A child can usually do this starting at age 6.)

* Suck on a piece of hard candy or cough drop once in a while. (Don’t give these to children under 5 years old.)

Things you can do:

* Try to clear your child’s nose. This is very important in babies under 6 months old, because some can’t breathe through their mouths yet. Also, they can’t breast or bottle-feed if they can’t breathe through the nose. To clear your child’s nose:

– Use an over-the-counter spray or drops for the nose made of salt and water. An example is Ocean® brand. Follow the label’s advice or that of your child’s doctor.

– For a baby who can’t blow his or her nose, leave the salt drops in for 1 minute. Then use a soft rubber suction bulb to draw out the mucus. Lie the baby on his or her back. Aim the bulb straight down, not at an angle! (You can get a suction bulb at the drug store.) Or use a cotton swab to wipe the mucus out. Don’t put the suction bulb or cotton swab too far into the nose. You could cause a nosebleed.

– For a child who can blow his or her own nose, have the child do it 1 minute after the salt drops are in.

* Put a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child’s room. Use distilled (not tap) water. Clean it every day.

* For fever and muscle aches, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Make sure you give the right kind and dose for your child’s weight. (Note: Do not give aspirin. Aspirin and other medicines that have salicylates have been linked to Reye’s Syndrome.

* Check with your child’s doctor about using over-the-counter medicines for colds and flu for children under age 2.

* Call your child’s doctor if he or she gets a fever after a cold or after the flu has gone away.

* Washing the hands often helps stop spreading the flu. Have your child wash his or her hands:

– After playing with others.

– When he or she gets home from school.

– After blowing his or her nose.

– After touching toys or other people’s things.

Signs of Reye’s Syndrome

Be on the lookout for Reye’s Syndrome after the flu or chickenpox. Reye’s Syndrome does not happen very often. But you should know about it. Look for these signs:

* Vomiting over and over again. Or vomiting that does not stop.

* Loss of pep and energy.

* Acting very, very sleepy.

* Acting very, very cranky.

* Striking out at others.

* Acting strange.

* Convulsions.

(Note: If your child shows signs of Reye’s Syndrome, get medical care fast!)

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Cold & Flu

Respiratory conditions

Cold symptoms mostly affect you above the neck. Flu symptoms affect the body all over. Signs and symptoms for colds and flu vary from person to person. On average, adults get about 1 to 3 colds a year. Children get about 6 colds a year.

Signs & Symptoms

More Information

Colds and flu are very contagious.

Cold symptoms usually appear 2 or 3 days after you pick up a cold virus. A cold can last from 2 to 14 days. Most people recover in a week. The cough that comes with a cold can last a few weeks after other symptoms go away. If you get cold symptoms often or they last much longer than 2 weeks, you might have an allergy, not a cold.

People infected with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before they get sick to 5 to 7 days after getting sick. Children and people with weakened immune systems could be contagious for more than 7 days.

Causes & Risk Factors

Colds and flu are caused by viruses. These spread:

* Through breathing air droplets made when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

* By touching an object with the virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.

Common Cold

The common cold is caused by more than 200 viruses. This is one reason why there is no cure for the common cold.

Flu

Flu is short for influenza. There are many kinds of flu. These include:

* Seasonal flu. This flu comes every year during fall and winter, but can last through May. Each year, different strains of type A and/or type B viruses cause this kind of flu. Scientists try to match the viruses in the flu vaccine to those that are most likely to cause flu for that flu season.

* H1N1 flu. This is caused by H1N1 virus. It was first detected in people in Mexico and the U.S. in April of 2009. It used to be called swine flu.

* Pandemic flu. This is any type of flu that causes a global outbreak of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. H1N1 flu was declared a pandemic in June of 2009.

* Bird (avian) flu. This is caused by avian influenza A (H5N1) virus which normally infects wild birds. Contact with infected birds or surfaces they contaminate can spread this virus to humans. The viruses may be able to change to a form that could spread from person to person and result in a widespread infection in humans.

Prevention

Wash your hands often with soap and water. Take at least 20 seconds each time.

When you can’t wash your hands, use alcohol-based wipes or gels to clean your hands. Rub the gel form into your hands until they are dry.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve.

* Try to avoid close contact with people and their things when they have a cold or flu symptoms.

* Keep your distance from others if you are sick.

* When possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Don’t send your children to childcare or school if they are sick.

* Clean and disinfect commonly used objects and surfaces. Examples are doorknobs, phones, railings, light switches, and remote controls.

Good Times to Wash Your Hands

* After you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose

* Before you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth

* After using the bathroom

* After shaking hands

* After you touch door handles, phones, and other objects and surfaces that others touch or cough or sneeze on

* Before you eat and/or prepare food

* When you come into contact with someone who is sick

* Follow your doctor’s advice for vaccines, antiviral medicines, and other ways to help protect you from the flu.

* Stay healthy to fight off infections:

– Eat nutritious foods.

– Do regular exercise.

– Manage stress.

– Get enough sleep.

* The single best way to protect against getting the flu is to get a yearly vaccine for seasonal flu.* All persons aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. It comes in two forms:

– A flu shot. Note: Consult your health care provider if you have had a severe reaction to the vaccine in the past or have a severe allergy to eggs or any part of the vaccine.

– A nasal spray. This is approved for people aged 2 to 49 years. Pregnant women should not get this form.

{*Get up-to-date advice for vaccines at 800.CDC.INFO (232.4636) orwww.cdc.gov/vaccines.}

Medical Care

Antibiotics do not treat cold and flu viruses. Antibiotics treat infections from bacteria.

* Taking antibiotics for viruses is the main cause of antibiotic resistance. With this, bacteria that were once fought off by antibiotics have become stronger than the medicine.

* Certain bacteria have become so resistant that it is hard to find an antibiotic that is able to treat the infection. An example is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This can cause an infection that affects the skin or causes pneumonia. MRSA resists treatment with usual antibiotics.

* If you get the flu, call your doctor’s office. Describe symptoms. Ask if flu testing, an antiviral medicine, or medical care is needed.

* Prescribed antiviral medications can make flu symptoms milder and help you get better sooner if started:

– Within 48 hours of the start of symptoms for adults

– Within 36 hours of the start of symptoms for children

Get up-to-date information on treatment for different kinds of flu from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 800.CDC.INFO (232.4636) orwww.cdc.gov/flu.

Reasons to Contact a Doctor

* You wheeze or have trouble breathing.

* A baby less than 3 months old has a fever between 99.5°F and up to 100.4°F.

* A person age 3 to 65 years old has a fever over 104°F.

* A person age 65 years and older has a fever of 102°F or higher.

* A child between 3 months and 3 years old has a fever of 102.2°F or higher.

* A bad smell comes from the throat, nose, or ears.

* An earache persists.

* A sore throat is bright red or has white spots.

* Pain or swelling over the sinuses worsens with bending over or moving the head, especially if you also have a fever.

* Yellow or green sputum or nasal discharge lasts longer than 5 days.

* Flu symptoms last longer than a week and self-care brings no relief.

* Cold symptoms get worse after 4 to 5 days or don’t get better after 7 days.

* Symptoms other than a slight cough last for more than 14 days.

Reasons to Get Medical Care Fast

* Breathing is very fast (over 40 breaths per minute).

* Extreme shortness of breath or trouble breathing

* The skin, lips, or fingernails have a bluish color.

* Severe wheezing or a severe cough

* A baby less than 3 months old has a fever of 100.4°F or higher. A child 3 months to 3 years old has a fever of 104°F or higher.

* Not waking up or not responding

* Coughing up true, red blood

* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

* Severe or persistent vomiting

* Sudden dizziness. Confusion.

* A red or purple rash does not fade when pressure is applied to the skin.

* Stiff neck; seizure; or a severe headache that persists

* A child is so irritable that he or she does not want to be held.

* Flu symptoms improve, but return with a fever and a worse cough.

Self-Care

Self-care measures treat most cases of colds and flu. People with chronic health problems should consult their doctors or health care providers for advice to manage symptoms.

* Rest and drink lots of liquids.

* Take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to lower fever and relieve pain, if needed. {Do not give aspirin to anyone under 19 years old. Aspirin and other medicines with salicylates have been linked to Reye’s syndrome.}

* Use a cool-mist vaporizer to add moisture to the air.

* For nasal congestion, use salt water drops or a saline nasal spray.

* Have chicken soup to help clear mucus.

* Gargle every few hours with warm salt water. (Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water.)

* Suck on a piece of hard candy or medicated lozenge. Note: Do not give these to children younger than 5 years old.

* If you use OTC medicines for cold and cough symptom relief, be careful. Read the warnings on the label. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which products are safe for you to use. Note: Do not give OTC cold and cough medicines to children under 6 years old. For children 6 years old and older, follow their doctor’s advice.

* To soothe a sore throat, have warm drinks, such as tea with lemon and/or honey. Note: Do not give honey to a child under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism.

* Check with your doctor or health care provider about using zinc lozenges, echinacea, and/or vitamin C when cold symptoms start.

* To avoid spreading cold and flu viruses, follow tips in “Prevention.”

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.

* In adults and children over 3 years old, symptoms are like those of a cold.

* In children under 3 years old, RSV can cause a lower respiratory infection, such as pneumonia. Infants 2 to 6 months old are more prone to this.

Get medical care right away if your baby has signs and symptoms of RSV:

* Blue color around the lips, fingernails, or skin

* Quick breathing or trouble breathing

* Grunting sounds with breathing

* Fever of 100.4ºF or higher in a baby less than 3 months old; 104ºF or higher in a child between 3 months and 3 years old.

* Severe cough or severe wheezing

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

800.CDC.INFO (232.4636)

www.flu.gov

www.cdc.gov/flu

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026