7 Ways to Avoid Colds and the Flu
You don't want to spend this winter battling a runny nose, a nagging cough or a fever. Here's what to do.

A Simple Way to Keep the Flu Away
You can avoid the flu this season by taking one simple step: Get a flu vaccination.

A Winter Cold: Not Inevitable
Although colds cannot be prevented -- or cured -- you can take precautions to reduce the chance of infection.

Antibiotics Not the Cure for the Common Cold
Most of the time, however, a cold passes in a week, with or without the use of antibiotics. Taking these drugs does not help you get better faster. In fact, it can create problems.

Chicken Soup: Good for the Body and the Soul
Feeling a cold coming on? Serve up chicken soup, with some noodles. Feeling well? Try a robust soup, with lots of colorful vegetables, chunks of chicken and big noodles.

Colds and Influenza: What's the Difference?
You can protect yourself against these illnesses. It's also important to know the symptoms of each.

For Seniors, the Cold Facts
While you may be more likely to avoid a cold as a senior, doctors add this warning: You're at risk of becoming sicker if you do get one.

Help for a Child with a Cold
You want to help a child with cold symptoms feel better, but choosing among countless over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines can be daunting. Here are some guidelines that can help.

How Much of a Threat Is Bird Influenza?
Influenza, with its fever, aches, fatigue and threat of complications, seems a uniquely human illness. But the flu, caused by a virus, can infect animals and birds, as well.

How to Survive the Sniffles
Colds are caused by viruses. More than 200 different cold viruses are out there, passed by person-to-person contact.

Is It an Allergy or a Cold?
This information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) can help you determine if you're suffering from allergies or a cold.

Paging Dr. Mom
One of the many hats that parents wear is that of a “first responder.” When their child is sick, they are the first to assess the symptoms and treat the illness.

Pneumonia and Influenza
Flu and pneumonia are respiratory illnesses that should not be taken lightly. In the United States, pneumonia and the flu combined are the sixth leading cause of death. Older adults are at greater risk than younger adults for contracting pneumococcal pneumonia, the most common bacterial form of the disease.

Sniffing Out Myths About Winter Colds
Sometimes it seems there are as many myths surrounding the common cold as there are viruses that cause it.

Stop the Spread of Germs at Work
Illnesses such as the flu and colds are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. They’re usually spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The Common Cold
Adults have on average two to four colds a year, and children have six to 10 of them annually.

What’s New with the Flu This Season?
With all the attention that 2009 H1N1 is getting, it's easy to forget that the "traditional" flu is still out there, with the peak flu season hitting during the winter months.

What’s True About the Flu?
The flu shows up each fall, and misconceptions come with it. Test your savvy about influenza by taking this quiz.