Break out the chicken soup! Cold and flu season has arrived!

If you ask a room full of people to describe the symptoms of the flu, the majority will list nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. “Flu,” short for “Influenza,” is actually a potentially serious disease of the respiratory tract that is often mistaken for a severe cold.

Flu symptoms include sudden fever, chills, persistent cough and body aches in addition to the typical cold symptoms. Flu symptoms continue longer than cold symptoms. Like a cold, the flu usually runs its course, but in certain individuals it can develop into something more serious requiring medical attention.

Prevention is the best treatment for both flu and colds. Although few people manage to survive an entire season (November through March) without becoming sick, taking appropriate preventative measures may decrease the incidence or severity of infection.

Prevention tips include:

Stay away from infected people (not always possible, to be sure!)

Get a flu shot

Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which are excellent points of entry for cold and flu viruses

Get plenty of rest

Eat regular, healthy meals

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fruit juices

When you do get sick, stay home and rest in bed. Drink water and juice. Remember that typical cold medicines only treat symptoms and are not a replacement for rest and a healthy lifestyle. Consider non-drug therapy, especially for children, before heading for the drug store. When you do purchase over-the-counter medications, ask your pharmacist to recommend appropriate products and always remember to read the label.

Oh, and don't forget Grandma's chicken soup. Some studies have actually shown it to have value in treating cold and flu viruses!

For more information on cold and flu, go to:

www.webmd.com/solutions/kids-cold-flu/facts , www.webmd.com/hw/cold_and_flu/hw/22014.asp www.webmd.com/content/article/114/111306.htm