Cold? Flu? H1N1? How can you tell the difference?

There's a story I read from CNN about a man by the name of Smith, who suggested to his girlfriend they be guinea pigs in a H1N1 vaccination study in August, Smith, the name of the woman, wasn't so crazy about the idea. But then she warmed to it: While she doesn't like needles, she thought she'd help out because she knew H1N1 was a serious virus.


To cut your risk of catching a bug, doctors say wash your hands and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.

"I heard people might die from it," Smith said. "So I think it's a good idea to help people, by being involved."

Lewis and Smith, both from Baltimore, Maryland, were among the first Americans to receive H1N1 flu shots. As part of a trial of 2,400 people, they gave blood samples and kept diaries of their symptoms, all in an effort to get an H1N1 vaccine ready for the fall. Now that the results from this and other trials are in, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the FDA has approved applications from four manufacturers to make H1N1 flu vaccine, which should be ready for high-risk patients by October 15. She said there will be enough vaccine available for everyone eventually.

And that's just in time. With fall in the air and old man winter right around the corner, seasonal flu and the common cold are sure to follow -- and H1N1 is here; in its most recent H1N1 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 21 states are reporting widespread flu activity.

This cold and flu season could star a cornucopia of viruses. Doctors say they worry the two flu strains (H1N1 and seasonal) could combine, further complicating the situation. Mix in colds, which are prevalent this time of year, and the immune system of Americans could be dealt a one-two punch.

So, how can someone tell if those sniffles they're having is something to be concerned about?

Infectious disease experts say people need to be aware of the symptoms. Dr. Shmuel Shoham, an infectious-disease specialist at Washington Hospital Center, says the common cold, seasonal flu and H1N1 are all respiratory illnesses, but they're caused by different viruses.

Symptoms of the cold are more common, and can make the patient miserable for three to five days. A patient usually has a stuffy nose, congestion, some body aches and a growing cough.

According to the CDC seasonal flu and H1N1 symptoms consist of fever, more painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea and severe fatigue. It's hard, without testing, to tell apart the seasonal strain of flu from the H1N1 variety. Video Watch more on cold, flu and H1N1 symptoms »

"People need to take notice when they begin to feel bad. If they start to have reparatory problems, or are dehydrated because of a bug, they should go to the doctor. It could be H1N1 or seasonal influenza," says Shoham. "Some people with influenza can get very sick and could end up in the hospital if it's not taken care of."

People at greatest risk for catching H1N1 include young people ages 6 months to 25 years, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. The CDC recommends that these groups -- as well as health care workers -- get vaccinated first.

The seasonal influenza vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, according to the CDC, including children ages 6 months to 18 years, people with immune system problems, women who plan on being pregnant during the flu season, those 50 years and older and health care workers.

But if someone doesn't fall into these categories, it doesn't mean he or she should skip vaccinations altogether. Experts say everyone should get both flu shot. "It's the best way to protect yourself," Shoham says.

Other than flu shots, are there other ways to stay healthy and avoid all of these bugs? Doctors say wash your hands and keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose and eyes. If you sneeze, sneeze into your elbow so as not to transfer your germs to your hands -- and everything else around you.

As for the myth about avoiding cold drafts -- forget it. "It doesn't seem to play out that sleeping with the window open, going out with your hair wet in the cold affects your immune system," Shoham says.

Also, keep your immune system healthy. That translates to eating well, getting enough sleep and staying active.
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If you become ill and experience severe symptoms, see your doctor. Your physician may recommend antiviral drugs that can treat the flu. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight the flu by keeping the virus from reproducing in your body.

Above all, stay away from others. If you have the flu, the CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. It's the best way to keep others from getting infected.

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How does your immune system help you against the flu virus?

It seems as though everyone has been sent into a tizzy about the flu. With the current talk about the swine flu and its widespread out break everyone is trying to find the best way to deal with it. One of the largest areas of concern is in the school system. Children already have a weakened immune system because it has yet to mature and really create enough of an immunology to yield off any type of virus.

The United States government has set up a check list for all the highly contagious areas. The school system is one of them. Your child's immune system is much more susceptible to catching any type of cold or flu. In order to ensure that your child's immune system is safe while they are in school, the government has administered a list of how to be safe in a class room setting.

In order to prevent the spread of the flu, the government recommends the following:

1. Avoid spreading germs: you can help your self and help others to decrease the chance of getting lung infections by:

- wash your hands as often as possible. You should wash your hands in warm water with a generous amount of soap for at least twenty seconds.

- do not touch your eyes, nose, or ace unless you have washed your hands thoroughly.

- Always cover your mouth when you cough. It is best to cough into a tissue or a sleeve so as to avoid having your germs left on your hand.

- Try to avoid people who have a cold or the flu. This is particularly difficult for children in a classroom setting, but following the three pointers above should lessen your risk of contracting the flu this season. And if you are sick, avoid contact with others. This should be music to your child's ears, a day home from school! But make sure they use that time to get better. Their immune system will need plenty of time to recover from this virus which directly targets the main respiratory systems of the body. And do not send you child back to school unless he or she is feeling one hundred percent better. Your child is still considered contagious up to seven days after he or she feels the onset of symptoms.

Other ways to prevent the flu is to get the influenza vaccine. by getting the vaccine you are decreasing your chances of getting the flu. And there are quite a few different flu vaccines, so be sure you ask your caregiver which is the best for you. The vaccine will help to increase the amount of antibodies in your immune system. And the more antibodies you have, the more resistant your immune system will become so it can fight of the harmful virus.
If an outbreak is announced in your home town or city, avoid public places where people may be coming in and out of other cities. If you live in a town or city where there is an airport or other major transit operating systems, try to avoid taking mass transit for a week. At this point it will not matter how strong your immune system is, everyone will have to take extra precautions to ensure that you are very well protected against the swine flu.

In extreme circumstances, if an outbreak occurs wear protective breathing masks and wear them any time while out in public.

Also, to protect yourself from getting the swine flu, purchase supplements that provide support to your immune system.

Selenium is in fact known to help your immune system stabilize itself. Like anything else, there is no guarantee these supplements will in fact protect you from contracting the flu, but if you find yourself stricken with the swine flu, every little bit will help.

It is very important that you practice good health. Your immune system is purposely set up so that you can fight off harmful diseases and viruses. Without a strong enough immune system you will undoubtedly have a harder time getting over any sickness.

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