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Cold & Flu Health Center

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Cold and Flu Overview

Is it a cold or the flu? While a common cold, including chest cold and head cold, can be caused by more than 200 viruses, seasonal flu is caused by either influenza A or B viruses. Cold and flu remedies can usually ease symptoms. Antiviral medications like Relenza or Tamiflu are helpful if prescribed soon after flu symptoms start.

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Seasonal Flu Vaccine May Cut Swine Flu Risk

Military personnel who got last year's seasonal flu shot were 42% less likely to get mild H1N1 swine flu and 62% less likely to be hospitalized with the pandemic flu.

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Flu or Cold Symptoms?

When you wake up sneezing, coughing, and have that achy, feverish, can't move a muscle feeling, how do you know whether you have cold symptoms or the flu? And if it's the flu, could it be swine flu?

It's important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms. A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks. The flu -- whether it's typical seasonal flu or the swine flu virus -- can also result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and hospitalizations.

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Tackle Bathroom Germs

Bathroom hazards that might surprise you.

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