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family health
Satisfaction
survey coming up
How can the Alliance better serve
you? Your feedback helps us know
what we are doing well and what
we can improve. Sometimes we do
surveys to ask for your feedback.
Over the next few months, we
are working with an independent
firm to do a satisfaction survey.
Some of you will be randomly
chosen for the survey and will be
contacted by the firm.
If you have any questions,
please call Member Services at
1-800-700-3874
, Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you
have impaired hearing or speech,
please call our TTY line at
1-877-548-0857
.
COLDS AND FLU
What’s the
difference?
B
oth a cold and the flu are
respiratory infections that are
caused by different viruses. There
are many viruses that can cause a cold,
but only a few that can cause the flu.
Adults can spread the flu one day
before symptoms appear and up to five to
seven days after. Children can spread the
virus even longer. The flu is often more
intense than a cold. It is vital to know
if you have the flu, because it can cause
more severe problems.
What can you do if you have a cold or
the flu?
If you have a cold and need relief
from symptoms, there are some over-the-
counter drugs that can be used. For the
flu, there are antiviral drugs available.
Please see your Primary Care Provider to
discuss which treatment options are best
for you.
What everyday steps can I take to
stop the spread of germs?
■
■
Wash your hands with soap and water.
■
■
Avoid contact with anyone who has a
cold.
■
■
Cover coughs and sneezes and dispose
of tissues promptly.
■
■
Keep surfaces clean.
■
■
Get a flu shot.
Symptom
Colds
Flu
Fever
Rare
Usual; fever of 100 to
102 degrees or higher in
children; lasts three to four days
Headache/general pain
Rare/slight
Common/often severe
Feeling tired and weak
Sometimes
Usual; lasts two to three weeks
Stuffy nose
Common
Sometimes
Sneezing
Usual
Sometimes
Sore throat
Common
Sometimes
Chest discomfort/cough
Mild to moderate
Common; can be severe
Other potential problems of colds and flu
Colds
Flu
Sinus infections
Bronchitis
Middle ear infections
Pneumonia
Asthma
Can worsen chronic conditions
3
living
healthy