How to tell if you have the flu.

It's sometimes tricky to tell whether you have a cold or flu. One clue: The flu comes on hard and fast. And most often, colds don't include fever.

Common flu symptoms:

• Body aches
• Chills
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever (greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sore throat

Treating your flu symptoms.

If you have the flu, your best remedy is to drink plenty of fluids, rest at home and avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours after you are fever-free. But if your symptoms worsen, call your doctor right away.

If you or a loved one is experiencing flu-like symptoms and falls into any of the following categories, call your doctor immediately.

• Children ages six months to four years
• Pregnant women
• Blood or metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
• Heart, liver, kidney or lung conditions
• Suppressed immune systems