* DUCT CLEANING * WELDING * HVAC REPAIR * AIR QUALITY TESTING * MOLD REMOVAL * KETCHIKAN ALASKA *
Bookmark and Share
Facebook Add as Friend

Cold & Flu Flow Chart

SYMPTOMS

DIAGNOSIS

CARE

1. Do you have a
fever? 		NO→ Go to
Question 6
YES↓
2. Do you have a sore
throat and headache–without nasal drainage? (Rapid strep test) 		YES→ You have a bacterial STREP THROAT infection. 500mg of Amoxicillin 3x 10d. acetaminophen,
anesthetic throat sprays  rest, water, and gargle with warm salt water
NO↓
3. Did your symptoms
start suddenly, and do you have a combination of symptoms including muscle
aches, chills, a sore throat, runny nose or cough? 		YES→ You may have the FLU. Get plenty of rest, and
drink lots of fluids. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches and pains. Prevent the flu by
getting a flu shot each fall. Taking Tamiflu or another
antiviral medication may help shorten the duration or reduce the symptoms of
the flu.
NO↓
4. Do you have a
persistent cough that brings up yellowish or greenish mucus, wheezing and
shortness of breath? 		YES→ You have a viral BRONCHITIS infection of the airways. Rest, fluids, warm, moist
air, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and an expectorant to ease the coughing. It’s best not to suppress a cough that
brings up mucus.  antibiotics, generally are
not beneficial.
NO↓
5. Do you have a headache
or muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, and watery diarrhea? 		YES→ You have gastroenteritis
(STOMACH FLU). 		Replace fluid loss due to
diarrhea.  Ease back into eating with bland foods and clear
liquids.  Plenty of rest.  Ciprofloxacin 500mg 2X 5d for Traveler’s
diarrhea
6. Do you
have a runny itchy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes? 		YES→ You have ALLERGIES. Cool, low humidity (40
and 50%) Polonic Breeze.  Cut grass.  Oxymetazoline
(Afrin)
NO↓
7. Do you have sneezing,
a sore throat, headache, congestion and a runny nose? 		YES→ You have a COLD. Acetaminophen,
Ibuprofen and/or warm
compresses may help reduce facial pain. A cool mist vaporizer may help your sinuses
drain more easily. Rest and plenty of fluids.
NO↓

8. Do you
have swelling or pain around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, a headache,
a dry cough, and/or discharge from the nose?

 YES→

You may
be developing SINUSITIS.

500mg Amoxicillin and/or Clavulanate 2X 10d  Guafenesin(Mucinex DM), Oxymetazoline(Afrin)
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen
Rest, fluids, warm, moist air


Leave a Reply