Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Health Tips for January 5

Health Tip: Getting a Nasal Vaccine for Flu

The influenza (flu) vaccine is available in two forms -- as an injection and in the form of a nasal spray.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says the nasal flu vaccine isn't for everyone, advising that you should talk with a physician before the following people get the nasal vaccine:

  • Children under age 2.
  • Adults aged 50 and older.
  • Anyone who has a chronic health problem or compromised immune system.
  • Anyone who takes long-term aspirin therapy.
  • Anyone who has lung, heart or kidney disease, or is diabetic.
  • Anyone who has Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome.
  • Women who are pregnant.
  • Anyone with an egg allergy or who has had a previous allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.

Health Tip: Do I Have a Cold or Flu?

If you're sneezing, coughing and have a fever, do you know how to tell whether you've caught a cold or have the flu?

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of cold symptoms, and how to tell them apart from symptoms of the flu:

  • In general, cold symptoms are milder and come on slowly, while symptoms of the flu tend to occur very suddenly.
  • It's probably a cold if you have a fever no higher than 102 degrees. The flu usually causes fevers higher than that.
  • It's probably a cold if you have symptoms including a congested or runny nose, sneezing and coughing, watery eyes, and a sore throat.
  • Symptoms of the flu often include nausea, chills, sweats, vomiting, muscle aches, and loss of appetite.

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