My husband brought home a cold. His symptoms were runny nose, headache and an occasional cough. He was well in three or four days, but then I caught it. I had a really stuffy nose. It was so bad, I couldn't eat because breathing through my nose was impossible. Fortunately, I too recovered in a couple of days.

What is the difference between a common cold and the flu? Now that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an influenza pandemic, what does this mean for you and your families? What can you do to protect yourself and others around you?

Cold and influenza viruses

The common cold can be caused by any one of 200 viruses. These include rhinoviruses (found in the nose), coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncitial viruses. Colds are spread primarily by hand-to-hand contact such as in a handshake, touching doorknobs, grocery carts, and office telephones.

On the other hand, there are three types of influenza viruses. Types A and B cause epidemics of severe respiratory illnesses while Type C causes mild illnesses not associated with epidemics. The flu viruses are spread when persons inhale droplets that remain suspended in the air after being coughed or sneezed. A man can also be infected when he touches surfaces covered with these droplets and then touches his nose or mouth.

Pandemic levels

The World Health Organisation has declared that the present spread of influenza A is at the pandemic level. This means that sustained community transmission of the influenza A virus has occurred in at least two of the WHO regions.

Here in Jamaica, the National Influenza Centre at the University of the West Indies confirmed the 11th imported case of influenza A (H1N1) on June 11. Cases have been documented in other Caribbean islands, including our neighbours Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Most people recover from the infection without hospitalisation or medical care. The respiratory infection is no different from that of local seasonal influenza.

Prevention

Frequent hand washing is the foundation of prevention. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. As far as possible, avoid sharing towels, utensils and other personal items. At the workplace, clean commonly used surfaces, doorknobs, and telephones. Use hand sanitisers with at least 60 per cent alcohol when hand washing is not immediately possible. Avoid handshakes for the present, and avoid crowds, especially indoors.

Treatment

Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections and are not helpful in battling viral infections. Only your body's natural immune defences can battle the common cold viruses. Acetominophen or ibuprofen is used to treat fever, headache and muscle ache.

Nasal decongestants and cough suppressants may be used to provide symptomatic treatment. However, antivirals such as osetamivir and zanamivir can reduce the severity of the influenza infections if given within 48 hours of the onset of the illness. Both the common cold and influenza require rest and lots of fluids (teas, juices and soups).

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.