Neither the common cold nor flu need to be treated with antibiotics. Consult your doctor if your symptoms get worse or persist for more than a few days. One of the best ways to prevent flu infection is to get a flu vaccine from your doctor. In the United States, flu season usually occurs from about November to April, and the best time to get the vaccine is between September and mid-November. Flu viruses continually change, so it is important that you receive the flu vaccine every year.
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
It causes symptoms that include headache, chills, and dry cough, followed by body aches, fever, nasal congestion, and sore throat. Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 4 days of being infected, and a person is considered contagious for another 3 to 4 days after symptoms appear. This requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader . For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA and AMA suggest that you consult your physician. This page may be reproduced noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients.