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Show 30 health HILL TOP TIMES DCMnbr 18, 1987 f fffluf Cold, alDergv? They re difftferenf There are ways to tell the three ailments apart By Evelyn D. Harris American Forces Information Service You don't know if you have a cold, the flu or just an allergy. All you know is you're miserable. There are ways to tell the three apart, according to Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) William J. Meinert. He heads the Department of Family Practice at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md., and treats patients at DeWitt Army Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Va. Timing is one. "Allergies are usually seasonal. Hay fever sufferers have problems in the spring and early fall. People who are allergic to dust and mold suffer most in the winter, particularly if they have a forced-ai- r heating system," said Colonel Meinert. Colds, on the other hand, are most common from the beginning of the school year in the fall through spring, peaking in the coldest months of January and February. The flu, or influenza, strikes as an epidemic, usually starting in November and continuing through the winter. Symptoms are another way to tell the differences among the three. Allergy symptoms are limited to congestion, watery eyes and an irritated throat. In addition to these, cold sufferers may often have mild aches and a low fever. The flu is usually more severe, with a sudden, high fever, chills and sweating, cough, muscle aches and pains and headache. . The "common cold" is common. Americans suffer 1 billion colds a year. Contrary to what most people think, a person doesn't catch colds after getting chilled, said Colonel Meinert. People live closer together in the winter, passing colds in the best way possible from hand to hand. "Although you can get a cold from the droplets released in the air when someone sneezes, you're much more likely to get it from touching said the colonel. Often unconsciously, cold sufferers wipe their run then-hands- ," ny eyes and then touch their neighbors. Cold germs can survive up to three hours on telephone receivers and other surfaces. The most innocent faces belong to the most guilty parties when it comes to spreading colds. Children, particularly young children in day care, nursery school and kindergarten, get and spread more colds than any other group in the population. "Young children get from eight to 10 colds a year," said Colonel Meinert. "Unless Grandma sees her grandchildren often, she's the least likely to get a cold people over 65 have fewer colds," he said. Although colds are seldom g, Colonel Meinert suggests you see a doctor if the in- fection gets in your lungs or if you develop a fever or severe sore throat. If your mucous is yellow or green, you probably have a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. You should watch your baby carefully if he or she has a cold. If you believe the baby has an earache or a sore throat, take him or her to a doctor. Untreated ear infections can lead to deafness. Sore throats can mean a strep infection which can lead to rheumatic fever, which damages the heart. The colonel said "We probably do more strep throat cultures than we need to but it pays off because rheumatic fever is now rare in this country." Croup is another common cold complication for children until about the age of 3. "If your baby is 'barking,' take him to the doctor. Usually the cold air hitting him on the way to the car is enough to stop the croup, but it's best not to take chances," said the colonel. Sitting with your baby in a steamy bathroom will also stop the croup. The military services usually vaccinate against flu in the middle of October. This year, military people received shots protecting against the ATaiwan, ALeningrad and BAnn Arbor influenza viruses. According to the colonel, "You can't fight a war if half your people have the flu, but the flu is not usually dangerous to healthy young men and women. to the very young, "The flu can be said. Flu can old and he chronically ill," very be to fatal if not progress pneumonia, which can life-threateni- ng treated. Pneumonia usually strikes suddenly, with shaking chills and sharp pain in the chest. The lungs are congested and fever can rise to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the Public Health Service's Atlanta-baseCenters for Disease Control recommends flu shots for people with diabetes, cancer or kidney, liver or lung disease, anyone over 65 and health care workers. Colonel Meinert also recommends flu shots for smokers and children with any chronic disease. 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