Treatments - Questions And Answers

Will a cold vaccine ever become available?

Probably not. There are too many viruses that can cause the common cold for scientists to prepare a vaccine to protect against all.

Can the flu shot ever give you the flu? How effective is it?

Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepares a vaccine that contains a combination of expected flu viruses. The flu shot does not contain any live viruses and so cannot "give" you the flu. However, the vaccine can trigger an immune response from your body. You may have short-lived symptoms such as achy muscles or a slight fever after you receive the flu shot. Unfortunately, the flu shot cannot guarantee you protection: you may catch a strain not included in the shot. People who are most likely to benefit from getting a flu shot include the elderly, healthcare and child-care workers, and people with underlying conditions that make them more vulnerable to influenza.

I've had a cold for weeks. How can I make it go away?

You shouldn't have a cold for longer than one or two weeks. If it lasts longer, make an appointment with Student Health by calling (215) 746-3535. You may be suffering from allergies or another condition.

Do people ever go to the hospital for a cold or flu? How do you know when it's time to see your doctor?

People can get quite ill from the cold and influenza viruses; some strains are more dangerous than others. Those people with the greatest risk usually have an underlying disease or condition that could be complicated by the symptoms of a cold or the flu. Some of these conditions include: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, diabetes, cancer, and HIV infection. The elderly and the young are more likely to become very ill, and smokers are more likely to become quite ill than nonsmokers. It's important to call Student Health at (215) 746-3535 if you have an intestinal flu and can't keep any fluids down. Also call if you are having a hard time breathing, if you are coughing up blood, if you have an extremely high fever (over 102.5 degrees) or if you have sweats or chills that go on for days.

WebMD; University of Washington internist Debbie Greenberg, MD