It’s easy for a lot of us to think “oh, it’s just a cold” when we start to get the stuffy nose or sore through. The path of least resistance is to just let it run it’s course because you figure it will just go away eventually.

Unfortunately more people are finding that the cold symptoms are really signs of something more serious. Instead of a cold it could be meningitis, which is a swelling of the brain that is often fatal. This isn’t a joke or out of the realm of possibility: in Waukegan, IL a high school student recently died from just this sceanrio.

Showing cold or flu symptoms also shows that the body was not strong enough to fight off that infection so you may actually be more susceptible to another illness that comes along. For example it may be just a cold to start with, and you go into work as usual. Either because of cold or other factors, the immune system is not able to fight off another infection as well and then you come in contact with someone who is carrying the flu virus.

Since the immune system is not as strong (due to fighting off the cold) it’s more likely that the flu virus can make it’s way in and turn what was a simple cold into the more debilitating (and potentially lethal) flu.

It is very important to take illness seriously. Even if you think you just have a cold, keep a close eye on the symptoms and take steps to protect yourself from further infections. Stay home and away from other people if possible. If that’s not possible, cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hands) to reduce spreading the virus. Reduce stress, but still exercise at a moderate level if possible.