The flu is more than the sniffles. It's coughing. It's fever. It's aching. And it can lead to pneumonia. In fact, complications from the flu kill 36,000 Americans each year and cause more than 114,000 to be hospitalized. Influenza, the virus which causes the flu, is particularly dangerous for people whose health is vulnerable, but it's a threat to all of us, and it saps time, energy and productivity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this year's (2003-04) flu season has gotten off to an unusally early start. In laboratory tests from across the country, a large number of specimens are testing positive for influenza type A. Type A viruses have traditionally been associated with more-severe flu seasons which have caused more hospitalizations and flu-related deaths.

How can I tell if I have a cold or the flu?

A cold and the flu have many of the same symptoms. But a cold is generally mild, while the flu tends to be more severe.

A cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, coughing and having a runny nose. You may not have a fever or you may run a low fever--just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual. You may also have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache.

The flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You'll probably feel weak and tired, and have a fever, dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, eye pain and a sore throat. It usually takes longer to get over the flu than over a cold.

Medications: What's in over-the-counter cold/flu medicines?

The ingredients listed below are found in many cold/flu medicines. Read
labels carefully. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Prevention: The Flu Shot

The flu shot is about 80 percent effective in preventing the flu in healthy adults. A new vaccine is produced each year to ward off the changing influenza viruses, so yearly vaccinations are necessary. Also think about vaccinating your children. They can be vaccinated as young as 6 months. Always check with a health care provider about a child's first flu shot.

Facts on Flu Shots:

"The shot can give you the flu."
False. Flu vaccines are made from killed influenza viruses. These cannot give you the flu.

"Even if I get a flu shot, I can still get the flu."
Maybe. This can happen, but the flu shot usually protects most people. Other viruses also circulate during the flu season and can cause illnesses that feel like the flu. The flu shot will not protect you against these viruses.

"The vaccine isn't 100% effective, so I'm better off getting the flu."
False. No vaccine is 100% effective. However, if you get a flu shot but still get the flu, you are likely to be far less sick than you would have been without the protection.

"The side effects are worse than the flu."
False. The worst side effect you're likely to get is a sore arm. The risk of injury or death from a rare allergic reaction is far less than the risk of severe complications from influenza.

"Not everyone can take the flu shot."
True. People who are allergic to eggs (used in making the vaccine); currently have a severe, acute illness; or have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past; might not be able to get this protection.

"Only the very old and sick need the flu shot."
False. Even if you 're in good health, if you are 65 years old or older, have a chronic (ongoing) or long-term health condition, or are in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy, you have an even greater risk of complications if you get the flu. Even if you aren't at high risk of complications, you can get a flu shot to prevent the flu and to protect everyone you live with and contact.

"I don't have to get the flu shot by December."
True. The flu shot can be given before or during the flu season. You should let those who need the protection most have the first shots--those 65 years old or older, with chronic (ongoing) or long-term health conditions, and health care workers. It's best not to delay, but if you do, don't give up!

When you should get your flu shot.

information provided by the CDC--National Immunization Program, the American Academy of Family Physicians and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota