Both the cold and the flu (influenza) are viral upper respiratory infections. There are over 200 different viruses known to be responsible for the common cold, whereas there are two main types of influenza virus. Click here to read up on the basics of cold and flu: Is it a cold? Or is it the flu? And what do you do? Before you attempt to treat your condition, step back, consider your symptoms, and figure out if you have a cold, a flu, or both. New drugs help foil
the flu You don't have to wait for the flu to run its course. Find out about the drugs that can both prevent the flue and shorten its duration once it sets in.
Say no to cold medicine! While many over-the-counter medications are available, some people find their side effects to be more troublesome than beneficial. Read here to learn about some naturopathoc remedies. How to wash your hands properly Believe it or not, one of the best, not to mention easiest, ways to avoid a cold is to wash your hands frequently, especially after time spent in highly-trafficked public spaces. Echinacea: nature's cold fighter Many people who become interested in herbs and natural remedies began with an introduction to echinacea, an herbal remedy commonly used for treating colds. Does it really work?
Alternative ways to fight the flu Aside from receiving the vaccine, there are several other steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the flu. For example, learn how antiviral medications can both prevent and treat the flu. Antibiotics: use with caution Antibiotics are thought of as magic bullets against many bacterial diseases. Find out why they can be harmful when taken for colds and flu.
Vaccines: weighing supply against demand This 2004 flu vaccine shortage has many wondering how it happened and what steps we can take to prevent vaccine shortages in the future. Read here to find out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
http://www.niaid.nih.gov | 
