Yes, my daughter Yael has benefited from Vision Therapy. Her teachers agree that she is focusing better and is becoming a better student. For us, Vision Therapy has been a sound investment. Thank you for your efforts on her behalf.

P. M.

By: Jeffrey Teitelbaum, MD

Dr. Teitelbaum is serving as the Medical Director of Ezra Medical Center, seeing pediatric patients and adults as well.

            We see many patients this time of year with common symptoms including sore throat, runny noses, aches and pains, fever and chills, etc.  Many of these symptoms are related to the common cold and some are flu-related.

            Plenty of articles circulate about these symptoms, what to do about them and how to avoid them.  This synopsis will address some questions that are not often answered or are sometimes answered by everyone’s “opinion”, but nonetheless, are still often asked.

            To begin with, what is the difference between the flu and the common cold?  Both are respiratory diseases, but are caused by different viruses.  The virus that brings on the flu attacks more of the respiratory system – from the nose down to the lungs, whereas a cold concentrates more in the upper respiratory tract – the nose and throat.

            Both the cold and flu are transmitted the same way – through microscopic droplets from another infected person.  A sneeze or a cough sends droplets through the air at about 160 miles per hour!!  One who sneezes and even covers his nose and mouth now has a handful of germs that will settle on whatever he touches and can easily be picked up by the next person to touch that surface.  Touch the surface and touch your own eyes or nose and within a short time you’ll know what happened!

            There’s one catch here that increases the spread of germs.  About 24-72 hours after one is infected, he becomes contagious before he shows any symptoms of disease, so general precaution this season is prudent because you never know when you’ve been exposed.

            The common cold is probably one of the most common illnesses in humans.  Over 250 different viruses can cause cold symptoms.  This makes it almost impossible to develop a vaccine. Illnesses caused by viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics so the best approach can only be to alleviate symptoms as the virus runs its course.  Pain relievers, decongestants, cough-suppressants and antihistamines can assist, but carry side effects.  Ask your doctor what is right for you.  Like your mother or grandmother told you, rest and fluids are very important!

            One generally does not have to see a doctor For the common cold.  You’re uncomfortable for a few days and it passes.  Again, antibiotics kill bacteria and a cold is viral and does not respond to antibiotics, so asking the doctor for a prescription for the common cold doesn’t help.

            However, a prolonged cold can turn into a sinus infection or more commonly in small children, an ear infection that is bacterial and may need antibiotics if after some time the body did not fend it off on its own.

            A very common myth is that cold air causes a cold.  The only way to catch a cold is by being exposed to a cold virus.  Cold air may aggravate an existing condition, such as asthma, which could weaken the immune system.  A weakened immune system can make one more receptive to catching the cold when and only if exposed to it.  If one catches a cold after getting chilled, you could safely chalk it up to coincidence.

            With its greater severity of symptoms, flu is more dreaded than the common cold especially as its symptoms can potentially lead to further illness, such as pneumonia.

            The approach to the influenza virus is different because there is a vaccine that will prevent or lessen the severity of the flu which generally strikes between October and May.  The best time to get vaccinated is in October/November, but getting vaccinated in December or later can still be beneficial.

            There are two types of vaccines for the flu.  One is the traditional flu shot that doesn’t contain a live virus and cannot cause the flu.  The second type is given in a nasal spray form called “Flumist”.  It contains weakened viruses which can sometimes cause flu.  It is recommended only for non-pregnant people aging five to forty nine years of age.

            The flu shot, for those who should get it, is 70-90% effective in preventing the flu in healthy people under the age of 65.

            Some at high risk for getting flu or suffering more if complications arise are over the age of 50, residents of nursing homes, children ages six months to twenty three months,(with extension this year to six years of age), adults and children with chronic conditions or that were recently hospitalized or with a weakened immune system, children six months to eighteen years on aspirin therapy, women who will be pregnant in the flu season, anyone with any condition that can compromise breathing and finally those who are in contact with someone who is in a high risk group.

            According to the Center for Disease Control, you should not get a flu shot if you’ve had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past or if you have an egg allergy.

            Flu shot side effects can include soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever and achiness.  Flumist side effects  in children can include runny noses, aches and headache or sore throat in adults, but obviously of less severity than if the flu itself had been contracted.

            Since every year different strains of flu are rampant and the year’s supply of vaccine is based on that, a yearly shot is recommended.

            If one does get the flu, Tamiflu and other prescription drugs are available to decrease a bout with the flu.  These drugs must be taken within two days of the appearance of the flu symptoms and may shorten the recovery by a few days.  They are not antibiotics, for as we mentioned the flu is viral, not bacterial.

            A doctor should be consulted if the symptoms escalate to rule out progression to pneumonia.  These symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent fever, vomiting or inability to keep down fluids, extremely painful swallowing or coughing, persistent headache, congestion or a productive cough.

            Obviously, whether common cold or flu is the case, as always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

            Wash your hands often.  This is probably the single best measure to prevent transmission of colds -  especially after being in a public place.  Teach your children the importance of hand washing too!  Small bottles of hand sanitizer are a convenient alternative.

Avoid touching your face.  When you sneeze or cough, don’t cover your nose or mouth with your hands.  Instead, turn away from people or put your head down beneath your bent elbow to keep your hands germ free.

            Use paper towels and disposables.  Germs can live for several hours on a cloth towel.  Give guests their own towels.

            Throw tissues away after use.  They can contaminate the surface on which they were left.

            Keep household surfaces clean.  Doorknobs, drawer pulls, keyboards, light switches, telephones, countertops, sink handles and especially toys all harbor viruses for hours after use by an infected person.  Disinfectant solutions, Lysol and antibacterial wipes are excellent.

            Maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Although this isn’t a guarantee if someone sneezes on you, a well-nourished, hydrated, fit, well-rested person generally can fight off infection in a more efficient manner.

            Limit exposure to smoke and stress.  These also compromise the body’s ability to combat illness.

            Below is a checklist to recap the differences between cold and flu.  As always, never hesitate to contact your health care provider for clarification of any symptoms.

            Gezuntheit!!

Is It a Cold or the Flu?

WebMD Public Information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD, October 2005.

SOURCE: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, September 2005. The CDC: "Antiviral Drugs and the Flu," Oct. 22, 2005.

© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

Back to all Articles