Chances are you, or someone in your family, woke up feeling lousy. You had various symptoms that you weren’t sure were indicative of a cold or the flu. Here’s how to figure out if you should stay in bed for the day or if you are sick enough to call the doctor.

It’s a cold if…

• You have a stuffy nose and a sore throat and you’re sneezing.
• You have very mild body aches.
• You cough and have chest congestion.

It’s the flu if…

• You have a high fever (100˚ to 102˚) lasting up to three days.
• You have a headache and other body aches and pains.
• You are exhausted and have difficulty getting out of bed.
• You feel weak.
• You sometimes sneeze, have a sore throat or stuffy nose.
• You have chills.

If you have a cold, take Tylenol, gargle often with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup water) and get rest. If you have the flu, have your doctor prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza. Drink lots of fluids and take Tylenol for aches and pains.

–Charelle Wilson Hanley