Common symptoms of the flu typically include everything accept for:

a)      Fever

b)      Fatigue

c)      Chest Discomfort and Cough

d)     Stuffy Nose and Sore Throat

The answer is d) Stuffy Nose and Sore Throat. Flu usually strikes suddenly, bringing with it headache, body aches and pains, and fevers of 100 degrees to 102 degrees. Chest discomfort and cough are also common whereas stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat are more typical of the common cold. You may experience extreme exhaustion in flu’s early stages, followed by weakness and fatigue for up to three weeks.

Do antibiotics help with the flu or a cold?

a)      Flu

b)      Cold

c)      Neither

d)     Both

The answer is c) Neither. As with colds, antibiotics are ineffective against the flu. However, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine that may reduce the severity of your illness and shorten your recovery time

True or False? If you don’t catch the flu by December, you won’t get it because the season is over.

a)      True

b)      False

The answer is b) False. The flu season often peaks as late as February. Getting vaccinated before the end of the calendar year is the best way to prevent the flu, but the vaccine can still be effective if you get it in January.

Did you know that if you contact St. Joseph Mercy Oakland for an appointment before noon you can see a doctor at St. Joe’s the very same day? It’s true. With the St. Joe’s Same Day Appointment Program, you can call 800.372.6094 to schedule an appointment to see a St. Joe doctor the very same day.