The Latest: Tagged 'flu'

Photo by Mourner / Vladimir Agafonkin via Flickr Creative commons

As far as infectious indicators go, there are three important symptoms to consider if you suspect a cold might actually be the flu — fever, chills, and body aches.

This particular melange of feel-baddery is a good place to start assessing since the trio is known to associate with influenza, but not often found consorting with the common cold.

INFLUENZA VS. COLD (via CDC)

Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Unlike a cold, which is caused by different viruses, the flu usually comes on suddenly and may include some or all of the following symptoms:

Fever or feeling feverish (however, not everyone with flu will have a fever)

Chills

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle or body aches

Headaches

Fatigue (tiredness)

Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Andrea Wang/KPCC

CVS Pharmacist Jill Kolin administers a flu shot to KPCC's morning anchor Steve Julian. Why so serious?

Andrea Wang/KPCC

Kolin carefully draws the fluid to insure no air bubbles enter the syringe. Presence of air would cause extra discomfort to the patient.

Andrea Wang/ KPCC

Julian flexes, displaying a band-aid after the shot.

Andrea Wang/KPCC

Show some love to your local pharmacist!

Flu season has started, and it's a race. As the influenza virus searches for vulnerable victims, CVS pharmacist Jill Kolin came to KPCC to give flu shots, including a live on-air flu shot for Morning Edition host Steve Julian.

According to Kolin, people should not be deterred by any soreness the vaccine causes.

"Sometimes people may feel a little bit of achiness, maybe a slight headache, but it's nothing compared to when you actually get the flu. The flu can be so debilitating that when you're laying down you can't even turn over — it hurts to move your body," she said.

With sleeve rolled, Off-Ramp host John Rabe musters focus for his impending flu shot: