Monday, January 28, 2013 2:13 pm

Senior citizens should take extra steps to avoid the flu outbreak currently raging in Cannon and surrounding counties.

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses.

Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense.

 Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations.

There are a number of common-sense steps persons, particularly the elderly, should take to avoid the flu.

Paper towels - Use paper towels to dry your hands instead of cloth towels, which can harbor germs.

A temple-touch style thermometer - If the patient has a fever higher than 102 degrees that could indicate they have the flu.

Vitamin C or little boxes of orange juice - Helps build immune system particularly for seniors.

Pocket-size hand sanitizer, with aloe - Helps keep the skin germ-free without drying it out.

Pens - Seniors should always have their own ballpoint pen handy - pens shared in public areas carry a ton of germs.

Disinfectant spray - Spray doorknobs, handles, and light switches, etc. for least once a week - viruses can live up to 48 hours on plastic and stainless steel surfaces.

 Hand soap - Recent studies show plain soap and water works just as well, if not better, than antibacterial soaps.

Hand sanitizer wipes - These are handy to have on-the-go, whether to clean hands or public surfaces. Don't rely on just baby wipes because they  do not contain the proper ingredients to kill viruses and germs.

Get the flu shot because it's free and covered by Medicare for senior citizens. People 65 and older have two flu shots available to choose from - a regular dose vaccine and a newer higher dose flu vaccine that results in a stronger immune response. Seniors should talk to their doctors to see if they're a good fit for this vaccine.

Shorten the duration of symptoms by getting an anti viral medication within 48 hours.

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

 In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu.

People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations