Bits and Pieces

Today is one of those days where I have several short topics that need to be discussed.

Reminder - Get your Flu Shots – It is that time of year again. Do not forget to get your flu shot this fall. Supposedly, the H1N1 vaccine is included in this year's shot. Also, check with your doctor on whether it is time to get the pneumonia booster shot.

KDA Fall Newsletter – The fall newsletter is now available. You can download the PDF document by clicking on this link. Or, visit the KDA website and you can find the link in the right hand column under NEWS. Note: The revised issue was published this morning. The original had some formatting problems.

KDA Conference and Education Symposium – The conference is coming up this November. Over a dozen researchers have registered for the conference including Doctors Fischbeck, La Spada, Taylor, Beitel and Merry. There are also several past KDA grant recipients attending. The hotel has rooms blocked for the conference, but the rooms will be released by October 10. The agenda has been finalized.

The KDA Forum is an excellent resource – If you have not visited the KDA Forum recently, I would recommend that you drop by. It has several new topics posted ... including a few on current research. It is also an excellent way to interact with others who are living with Kennedy's Disease.

Know the Difference between a Cold and the H1N1 (Swine) Flu

My brother sent me this information today and I thought it provided a good comparison of Cold and Swine Flu symptoms.

"If in doubt … have it checked out."

Fever

- Fever is rare with a cold.
- Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with
the flu.

Coughing
- A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
- A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
- Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
- Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose
- Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
- Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills
- Chills are uncommon with a cold.
- 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness
- Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
- Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
- Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
- Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms
- Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
- The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
- A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
- A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat
- Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
- Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort
- Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
- Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Source: BayRidgeTalk For a printable version: PDF Version

More information on the Swine Flu: Find the Answers