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Armed with a few facts of your own, you can help yourself and your family avoid the aches and pains of flu and the miserable symptoms of the common cold. Use the simple quiz below to improve your defenses against colds and flu this season.
Q: You are likely to catch a cold if you walk in the rain, don't dress warmly enough, or sit in a draft? True or False?
A: False. While you should do all you can to keep healthy-eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly-walking in the rain or going out in the cold with wet hair won't give you a cold.
Q: Children normally get more colds than adults? True or False?
A: True. It is not unusual for a child to get five to eight colds a year, while the average adult gets only three or four. That's because children haven't yet built up the immunity to viruses that adults have, and they are also exposed to a greater variety of illnesses at school or in day care.
Q: Colds and flu are caused by bacteria? True or False?
A: False. Colds can be caused by any of more than 200 viruses called rhinoviruses that spread through mucous secretions and coughs and sneezes. The flu is caused by various strains of the influenza virus and is spread basically the same way. It can be more serious for infants, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases. That's why the flu vaccine is recommended for people over 65; people with asthma, heart disease or diabetes; and people who work in healthcare and are frequently exposed to the flu virus.
Q: Colds can be effectively treated with antibiotics? True or False?
A: False. Antibiotics are effective for the treatment of bacterial infections, not viral infections. Since colds and flu are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not effective in relieving symptoms or shortening the duration of the infection.
Q: Prescription medications are the only effective medicines that work on cold and flu? True or False?
A: False. There are over-the-counter medications that relieve the symptoms of both cold and flu.
Q: You should always take medication to stop a cough that comes with a cold or flu? True or False?
A: False. If your cough is productive, meaning that you are coughing up mucous, don't try to completely stop it. Your body needs to get rid of that mucous. A nonprescription cough medicine with an expectorant, such as Robitussin®, will help by keeping the mucous secretions liquid and easily expelled.
Q: Decongestants can be used to relieve a cough? True or False?
A: False. Decongestants are meant to relieve stuffy, congested noses, not coughs. Unless your cough is caused by postnasal drip (a drip down the back of your throat), avoid decongestants. Nonprescription cough medicines which contain guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, such as Robitussin® DM, can relieve your cough while they loosen the mucous, making it easier to expel.
Q: Pain-relief or cold products that contain ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) should never be given to children under 19 years of age? True or False?
A: True. ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) has been associated with Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition, and should not be given to children. Nonprescription ibuprofen, such as Children's Advil®, is an effective reliever of the fever and minor aches and pains caused by colds and flu and is not associated with Reye's Syndrome.
