Can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

In addition, the risk for respiratory infections is increased by exposure to cigarette smoke, which can injure airways and damage the cilia, the tiny hair-like structures that help keep the airways clear. Toxic fumes, industrial smoke and other air pollutants also are risk factors.

Complications
The most serious, often life-threatening complication of the flu is pneumonia. Other complications include ear infection, bronchitis, chronic lung disease and fever-related convulsions. Croup and a lung disease called bronchiolitis can arise as complications in infants and young children.

The good news is that the flu is preventable if you get vaccinated. Because the influenza virus changes its genetic make-up from year to year, you're most likely to be exposed to a new virus. That's why you can get the flu every year,a new flu jab is recommended every year. If you?re aged 65 or over, or have a serious medical condition (eg asthma, diabetes, chronic heart, chest or kidney complaints, lowered immunity) it is important to receive your annual vaccination against influenza. Contact your local GP surgery for details, ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647, or visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk

Modern treatments
Scientists have a new weapon in their arsenal to fight influenza. This new class of drugs, called neuraminidase inhibitors (NAI), attacks the influenza virus at the cellular level and blocks the viruses' ability to escape from cells that they have already infected, thereby preventing the infection from spreading. These include a nasal powder spray called zanamivir (Relenza) and capsules containing oseltamivir (Tamiflu) which can shorten the duration of flu by one to three days and reduce complications, including pneumonia and bronchitis. In the UK, these drugs are only used to treat at-risk individuals who can start treatment with 48 hours of close contact with a flu-like illness.

Diagnosing flu
The flu causes muscle and joint pain, high fever, chills, fatigue and weakness that usually send the afflicted straight to bed for three to five days or longer. Afterwards, your cough and tiredness may persist for days or even weeks. Other symptoms include headache, eye pain and sometimes a stuffy nose and sore throat. Upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhoea are rarely major features of the flu.

Since complications from influenza are more likely to develop the longer you have the virus, seeking medical attention and an accurate diagnosis quickly is your best bet for getting back on your feet as soon as possible.