Is That A Truck That Just Hit Me ... Or Is It The Flu?

If you haven't been hit with the flu yet, odds are you know someone who has. And hit is the right word.

Influenza is no weakling of an illness. It can really knock you off your feet without warning.

But with all of the bugs circulating around these parts (it seems like everyone is fighting the sniffles) how do you know if you have a simple cold or a true blue case of influenza?

Both illnesses have some things in common: watery eyes, a nose that runs like a faucet and some form of a cough.

But here's a few things that make the flu bug stand alone -- or in most cases, have you lying horizontal and incapacitated.

Influenza tends to have a sudden onset ... as in one minute you are fine, the next minute you have to lie down or you will fall down.

Severe fatigue. Not the "dragging" sensation of a cold—but the sensation of being so weak that you can't grab your covers to cover your shivering bones.

Muscle aches and headache—much worse that a cold

Fever in the range of 100-104 --not unusual.

It's important to note that vomiting and diarrhea are not predominant symptoms of "the flu." Influenza mainly affects the respiratory system—anything that gives you the "trots" is often mistakenly thrown into the garbage heap diagnosis bin of "flu."It's usually not influenza.

What makes true flu so nasty is that it tends to weaken you so much that it can quickly lead to pneumonia and other complications.

In fact the number one cause of death from influenza is heart attack—next is stroke. That's because of the strain the illness puts on your system.

What can you do about it if you get nailed?

Lots of fluid and rest top the list. Don't dehydrate.

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can make you more comfortable (just make sure you don't OD on the product, especially if you are combining it with any magical flu relief products -- which incidentally generally do little to ease your agony… and they certainly do not quicken your recovery or cure you.)

If you do get sick with what you suspect is the true flu, call your doctor. We do have anti flu products (prescription) called Tamiflu or Relenza which may slightly lessen the length and severity of your illness.

Finally, even if you've heard that the flu shot is not all that great this year—get one anyway if you haven't already. It also may lessen the severity and length of illness.

Heck, we'd like to see you back at work by March.

(And I'm not totally kidding on that one. Flu recovery averages 3-4 weeks -- a long time to get your sea legs back).