Ever experience a runny nose, constant sneezing, sore throat or chills? Often symptoms such as these confuse people or cause concern. People tend to start to question whether they have symptoms of a cold or the flu.

Symptoms of the common cold often mimic those of the flu; however, there are many key indicators that set them apart. It is important to note that flu symptoms appear suddenly and can last up to a few weeks. Cold symptoms develop slowly and are often milder than flu symptoms, causing illness for only a few days. Key symptoms that set the two apart are as follows:

• Cold symptoms: headache, sore throat, nasal congestion (runny or stuffy nose), sneezing
• Flu symptoms: fever greater than 100, headache, weakness, extreme exhaustion, cough, chest discomfort, sneezing

Both flu viruses and the common cold are spread by airborne droplets produced when a person sneezes, coughs or talks. The flu is often more intense than the common cold. A key sign that you may have the flu, rather than a cold, is a fever of 100 or greater.

Each year, 5 to 20 percent of Americans will get seasonal flu, which affects 25-50 million. In addition, approximately 200,000 individuals each year will be hospitalized due to the flu.

The time of year when symptoms occur can also indicate with what your body is dealing. The standard flu season runs from fall to spring, generally starting in October and running through May. Peak times for contracting the flu are January and February.

To prevent getting the flu or the common cold, it is important to remember to wash your hands regularly. Getting an annual flu shot helps protect against the changing flu viruses that develop each year. It is especially important for children and senior citizens to get the flu shot, due to being at higher risk.

For more information about the flu, prevention, causes or more, please contact the Beaufort County Public Health Department at 252-946-1902, or visit us at 1436 Highland Drive, Washington.