Cold, Cough Season Expected to Be Worst in Four Years

Published on: October 25, 2003

This year's cough, cold and flu season may be the worst in four years, according to medical experts who predict that more than 250 million Americans expected will suffer from upper respiratory ailments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)reports that about 10 to 20 percent of Americans may be diagnosed with the flu this year.

Since the last three cold and influenza cycles have been relatively mild, health experts are concerned that consumers may ignore the early warning signs of influenza, dismissing them as a bad cold. To arm yourself with the best defense, Kaz, Inc. (a company that markets humidifiers and thermometers under the Vicks brand, home environment products under the Honeywell and enviracaire trademarks, and lawn and garden products under the STINGER and BUGOFF! brands.) has provided the following tips:

Keep a humidifier running in your home -- especially during the winter, when indoor air is dryer than usual. Using a humidifier makes sense no matter what your respiratory symptoms are, even if you just want to decrease your susceptibility to infection and stay healthy.

Keep a thermometer on hand. When children have a runny nose, take their temperature to see if they have fever. High fevers in the 102-104 degree range are characteristic of a flu. On the other hand, a fever rarely accompanies the common cold.

Keep clean hands. Parents must encourage children to wash their hands frequently and also cover their mouths when they sneeze to avoid spreading germs. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with colds and flu-like symptoms.

The CDC recommends an annual flu shot, especially if you are in a high-risk group. Vaccines are available at your doctor's offices, local clinics, and in many communities at workplaces, supermarkets, and drugstores.

For more information visit Kaz at: http://www.kaz.com/html/body_history_main.htm or http://www.kaz.com/html/body_vicks_main.htm..

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