Colds and Flu:

Facts

Intro	Treatment/Getting Better
Facts	Prevention
Signs and Symptoms

Understanding what causes colds and flu and why they make us sick is an important part of protecting yourself from infections.

Colds and flu are caused by viruses:

True. Viruses are tiny particles too small to see. They enter your body through openings such as your nose and mouth. Once inside, viruses attack the cells in your body that normally keep you healthy. Some of the symptoms you have when you are sick, such as a stuffy nose or fever, are your body's ways of fighting off infection. Colds are caused by more than 200 viruses however not as many viruses cause the flu.

Viruses are everywhere! You can't stop them from spreading:

False. That's not true. Stopping the spread of cold and flu viruses is easy if you know what to do. Cold and flu viruses spread by contact. When a sick person coughs or sneezes, virus-filled droplets float through the air. The most common way that flu viruses are spread is when someone who is sick with a cold or flu coughs or sneezes. But since a lot of people cough or sneeze into their hands, hand to hand contact is another easy way to pass along the flu virus. Another way that germs are spread is by an object. For example; if a sick person sneezes into their hand and then touches a door knob and then someone else touches the knob, then their nose or eyes, the virus can enter their body. Flu viruses can actually live on a surface like this for 2-8 hours.

The best way to prevent the spread of viruses is by killing them. Warm, soapy water is a great virus-killer! By washing your hands, you lessen the chance of viruses spreading and entering your nose and eyes. Also, don't rub your nose or eyes.

Colds and flu are no big deal. It doesn't matter if I get sick:

False. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Students miss more than 22 million days of school every year just for the cold alone. It's true that many people with a cold or the flu will get better quickly. But others will have serious problems and may have to go to the hospital. People with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure may get very sick from colds and flu.

The flu vaccine is the best flu protection available:

True. Some people think getting a flu vaccine isn't necessary or that it may make you sicker. Although a very few people will have minor side effects from the vaccine, it's still the best way to prevent infection by the viruses that cause flu. Talk to your health care provider and parent(s) or guardian(s) about getting a flu vaccine.

Previous

Next: Signs and Symptoms

Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 3/14/2011