Both the common cold and the flu are all transmitted from person to person, mostly through droplets in the air when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks. You can also contract these illnesses by touching surfaces that have the viruses on them, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  These inanimate objects that act as transmitters for disease are called fomites.

Common Cold symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to the cold virus and include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy or sore throat
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Low-grade fever
• Mild fatigue

Flu symptoms (including the H1N1 virus) are virtually the same as those of the common cold, but are much more severe. They include:

• High fever
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea

It is always a good idea to cut down on your exposure to airborne viruses and viruses on fomites, by:

1.  Keeping as far away as you can from anyone who is sick and is coughing
or sneezing.

2.  Washing your hands frequently.

3.  Trying not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes with your hands unless
you just washed them

For More Information:

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