Scratchy throats, stuffy noses and body aches all spell misery, but being able to tell if the cause is a cold or flu may make a difference in how long the misery lasts.
The American Lung Association (ALA) has issued new guidelines on combating colds and the flu, and one of the keys is being able to quickly tell the two apart. That’s because the prescription drugs available for the flu need to be taken soon after the illness sets in. As for colds, the sooner a person starts taking over-the-counter remedy, the sooner relief will come.
The common cold and the flu are both caused by viruses. More than 200 viruses can cause cold symptoms, while the flu is caused by three viruses -- flu A, B and C. There is no cure for either illness, but the flu can be prevented by the flu vaccine, which is, for most people, the best way to fight the flu, according to the ALA.
But if the flu does strike, quick action can help. Although the flu and common cold have many similarities, there are some obvious signs to look for.
Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose and scratchy throat typically develop gradually, and adults and teens often do not get a fever. On the other hand, fever is one of the characteristic features of the flu for all ages. And in general, flu symptoms including fever and chills, sore throat and body aches come on suddenly and are more severe than cold symptoms.
The ALA notes that it may be particularly difficult to tell when infants and preschool age children have the flu. It advises parents to call the doctor if their small children have flu-like symptoms.
Both cold and flu symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter medications as well. However, children and teens with a cold or flu should not take aspirin for pain relief because of the risk of Reye syndrome (综合症), a rare but serious condition of the liver and central nervous system.
There is, of course, no vaccine for the common cold. But frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with people who have colds can reduce the likelihood of catching one.
1. According to the author, knowing the cause of the misery will help ______.
A. shorten the duration of the illness
B. the patient buy medicine over the counter
C. the patient obtain cheaper prescription drugs
D. prevent people from catching colds and the flu
2. We learn from the passage that ______.
A. one doesn’t need to take any medicine if he has a cold or the flu
B. aspirin should not be included in over-the-counter medicines for the flu
C. delayed treatment of the flu will harm the liver and central nervous system
D. over-the-counter drugs can be taken to ease the misery caused by a cold or the flu
3. According to the passage, to combat the flu effectively, ______.
A. one should identify the virus which causes it
B. one should consult a doctor as soon as possible
C. one should take medicine upon catching the disease
D. one should remain alert when the disease is spreading
4. Which of the following symptoms will distinguish the flu from a cold?
A. A stuffy nose.
B. A high temperature.
C. A sore throat.
D. A dry cough.
5. If children have flu-like symptoms, their parents ______.
A. are advised not to give them aspirin
B. should watch out for signs of Reye syndrome
C. are encouraged to take them to hospital for vaccination
D. should prevent them from mixing with people running a fever
参考答案：A D B B A
译文：
沙哑的喉咙, 呼吸不顺畅, 身体的疼痛都会难受, 但是分清引发难受的原因是普通感冒还是流感, 便会决定难受时间的长短.
美国肺科协会已经颁布了应对普通感冒和流感的新方针, 并且关键之一就是能够更快地对两者进行区分, 这是因为治疗流感的处方药物在疾病刚开始之后必须立刻服用. 对于普通感冒而言, 越及早开始服用非处方, 病人病情缓解就会越快.
普通感冒和流感都是病毒所致. 200多病毒可导致感冒症状,而流感是被3种病毒引起的---流感A、B、C. 没有一种治疗可以治愈任何疾病,但是流感能用疫苗来预防.对于大多数人来说,抵抗流感最好的方法就是按照美国协会的方针.
但是如果遇到了流感的突然袭击, 快速行动可以帮助你. 尽管流感和普通感冒有许多相似之处, 但仍然有一些明显的迹象可寻.
普通感冒的症状像呼吸不通畅, 流鼻涕, 喉咙沙哑, 这些都是典型的发病初期症状, 而成年人和青少年一般没有发烧症状. 另一方面, 流感的典型特征便是发烧, 且不分年龄段. 总的来说, 流感的症状包括突然的发烧, 发冷, 喉咙痛和身体疼痛, 而且这些症状都比普通感冒严重得多.
美国肺科协会关注的是那些婴儿或是学龄前儿童, 得了流感但很难表达清楚的患者. 这就建议父母们如果他们的小宝贝有类似流感的症状就带他们去看医生.
普通感冒和流感症状也可以用非处方药治疗, 然而, 儿童和青少年得了普通感冒或流感为了减轻痛苦而服用阿司匹林, 这是不科学的,因为这样会有Reye综合症及严重损坏肝脏和神经中枢系统的危险.
当然, 没有疫苗可以预防普通感冒, 但经常洗手并且远离感冒的病人密集的地方, 可以减少患病的可能性.
