What's Bothering You? A Virus, Bacteria or Allergy?
Virus | Bacteria | Allergy | |
Runny Nose | Often | Rare | Often |
Body Aches | Often with Flu | Rare | No |
Headache | Often | Rare | No |
Dizzy | Often with Flu | Sometimes | Rare |
Fever | Often with Flu | Sometimes | Rare |
Cough | Often | Often | Sometimes |
Dry Cough | Often | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Cough produces sputum from lungs | Rare | Often | Rare |
Hoarseness | Often | Rare | Sometimes |
Recurs at a particular season | Sometimes | No | Often |
Only a single major complaint (sore throat, earache, sinus pain or cough) | Unusual | Usual | Unusual |
Clear, white, yellow, or green nasal drainage | Yes | Produced more after 7-10 days | Yes |
Itchy, watery eyes | Sometimes | Rare | Often |
Sneezing | Often | Rare | Often |
Duration of Illness | A cold is usually 7-10 days. The flu may be longer - depending on complications | Variable | Often prolonged |
Do Antibiotics help? | No, for colds. Antiviral medications ** for the flu may shorten the course of the illness if taken within 1-2 days of symptom onset. | Yes | No, but there are medications available to prevent allergies from occurring or at least lessen the symptoms |
Medical help effective? | Depends whether it's a cold or flu. | Yes | Yes, if symptoms are intolerable. |
| Preventable? | Yes | Yes | Yes, with medical help |
** For more information about antiviral treatment for the flu, call the Centers for Disease Control
at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit their website at www.cdc.gov/flu .