Is It Just A Cold...or Maybe More?

So, I stopped by the grocery store today for a few things.  I got in line to check out, and there was a lady in front of me buying one thing...medicine for head and chest congestion.  It made me think.  As I approached the cashier for my turn I said, "It's gotta be a little scary checking people out that buy cold medicine."  With all the swine flu news going around, it IS a bit scary.  Heck!  I work at an elementary school.  It's pretty scary there, too.  I have tried to tell myself that the media is blowing this WAY out of proportion, but do we really know that?  The fact is, we don't know a lot about this swine flu.  There was a 12 year-old boy from Scottsboro (where Justin & Chelsea live) that went to the doctor on Monday after coming down with symptoms on Sunday.  The doctor sent him to the hospital...and he DIED!!  They have yet to determine if it was indeed swine flu, but they said that he was experiencing flu-like symptoms.  This is serious stuff, folks.  Just be careful out there.  Here is some info that helps to break down the differences between a cold and the swine flu.

Know the Difference Between a Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms:

Fever
Cold: Fever is rare with a cold.
Swine Flu: Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.


Coughing
Cold: A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
Swine Flu: A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). 

Aches
Cold: Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Swine Flu: Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.


Stuffy Nose
Cold: Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Swine Flu: Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.


Chills
Cold: Chills are uncommon with a cold.
Swine Flu: 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.


Tiredness
Cold: Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Swine Flu: Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. 

Sneezing
Cold: Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Swine Flu: Sneezing is not common with the flu. 

Sudden Symptoms
Cold: Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
Swine Flu: The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. 

Headache
Cold: A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
Swine Flu: A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.


Sore Throat
Cold: Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Swine Flu: Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

 Chest Discomfort
Cold: Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Swine Flu: Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.