USC Health Now

Each winter, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from the flu and even more catch at least one cold. Here, a USC expert gives tips on beating and treating cold and flu symptoms.

by Katie Neith

A recent article in the New York Times suggested that flu viruses flourish in the winter because they are more stable in cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, moving to a tropical location is not an option for most. However, there are some key things you can do to fight the flu this season.

According to Jeffery Goad, Pharm.D., assistant professor at the USC School of Pharmacy, getting a flu shot each year is the first line of defense.

“The flu virus changes each year, requiring a new vaccine to match the new circulating strains,” he says.

Receiving a flu shot is of particular importance in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and very young children. According to Goad, most deaths from the flu occur in those over 65.

“Kids tend to acquire it more often and then transmit it to their grandparents or medically compromised family members,” he says.

In addition to getting vaccinated, Goad suggests washing your hands frequently and getting a lot of rest. If you work directly with children, ask their parents not to send them to group activities if they suspect their child to be sick.

Flu or Cold?

So how can you tell if it’s the flu and not just a bad cold?

The flu tends to cause more severe symptoms such as very high fever, chills and a headache, says Goad. Cough is common in both the cold and flu, but flu victims will tire faster and feel “sicker” than a cold sufferer. Other symptoms such as sneezing are more common with cold and allergies than with flu.

“As for onset, people with the flu can often tell you the hour of the day they got sick, whereas the cold creeps up on you and gradually gets worse,” he says.

Unfortunately, there are no effective, specific treatments for the flu or a cold, says Goad. He says the best thing to do for both is to manage symptoms, get plenty of rest and keep hydrated.

“Your body consumes a lot of energy when you’re sick, and fluids are like the ‘oil’ that keeps everything working smoothly,” he says. “It’s also best to consume liquids such as chicken soup, as the sodium content helps you keep more of the fluids you need in your body.”

Goad disputes the old wives’ tale of “feed a fever, starve a cold.”

“This is an old saying from the pre-modern era when people thought that if someone had symptoms of the flu (high fever), you needed to feed them more to keep up with energy requirements and if they had a cold, you needed to “starve” them as they didn’t have a high fever and thus didn’t need the energy,” he explains. “In reality, if you have a cold or flu, you still need to eat normally and drink to replace your fluids.”

What about Exercise?

He also questions a common belief that you can sweat out a cold by exercising. While Goad says that you can exercise to your own tolerance when sick, he points out that having a cold will reduce your energy level.

“Strenuous exercise may delay you getting better, as we know that rest is important for the body to heal and fight off your infection,” he says.

In addition, he says the jury is out on the use of zinc to prevent or minimize cold symptoms. He points to studies on both sides of the issue — ones that say zinc helps and those that say zinc has no effect — providing no clear consensus. Plus, Goad says zinc can cause unwanted side effects such as stomach upset and a reduced sense of smell.

“The best cold and flu treatments are actually the oldest,” he says. “Get plenty of rest, fluids and chicken soup, plus acetaminophen for a fever that makes you uncomfortable and saline nasal spray and cool mist humidifier for stuffy noses.”

Goad points out that if you are treating a child less than 2 years old, you should always consult your physician or pharmacist before giving an over-the-counter cold medication. If they are less than 6 years old, you also should consult your physician or pharmacist before giving them a product containing an antihistamine.

Anyone with a flu or cold who is too weak to eat or hydrate properly, has severe difficulty breathing or has a fever over 103 degrees should seek medical care immediately.

For more information on flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information on colds is available at Revolution Health.