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Scratchy throats, stuffy noses and body aches all spell misery, but being able to tell if the cause is a cold or flu may make a difference in how long the misery lasts.

The American Lung Association (ALA) has issued new guidelines on combating colds and the flu, and one of the keys is being able to quickly tell the two apart. That’s because the prescription drugs available for the flu need to be taken soon after the illness sets in. As for colds, the sooner a person starts taking over-the-counter remedy, the sooner relief will come.

The common cold and the flu are both caused by viruses. More than 200 viruses can cause cold symptoms, while the flu is caused by three viruses—flu A, B and C. There is no cure for either illness, but the flu can be prevented by the flu vaccine, which is, for most people, the best way to fight the flu, according to the ALA.

But if the flu does strike, quick action can help. Although the flu and common cold have many similarities, there are some obvious signs to look for.

Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose and scratchy throat typically develop gradually, and adults and teens often do not get a fever. On the other hand, fever is one of the characteristic features of the flu for all ages. And in general, flu symptoms including fever and chills, sore throat and body aches come on suddenly and are more severe than cold symptoms.

The ALA notes that it may be particularly difficult to tell when infants and preschool age children have the flu. It advises parents to call the doctor if their small children have flu-like symptoms.

Both cold and flu symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter medications as well. However, children and teens with a cold or flu should not take aspirin for pain relief because of the risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition of the liver and central nervous system. Reye syndrome.

There is, of course, no vaccine for the common cold. But frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with people who have colds can reduce the likelihood of catching one.

单选题 According to the author, knowing the cause of the misery will help _____.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】根据文章第一段可知， 能否区分感冒和流感对于病情持续时间起着重要的影响， 即如果我们能够正确区分两者， 可以有效降低患病时间， 对应A选项。
单选题 We learn from the passage that _____.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】文章倒数第二段首句提到， 不管是感冒还是流感， 这些症状都可以通过服用非处方药得以缓解， 因而， 正确答案为D选项。 第二段提到针对流感和感冒的不同处理方式： 一经确诊为流感， 要马上把医生的药方付诸实践； 而对于感冒， 则要立刻服用非处方药。 二者的共同点均是马上服药， 可排除A选项。
单选题 According to the passage, to combat the flu effectively, _____.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】根据文章倒数第三度可知， 考虑到鉴别儿童的流感症状具有一定难度， 家长应当及时就医。 所以， 治疗流感比较有效的方式就是尽快咨询医生， 对应题目中的B选项。
单选题 Which of the following symptoms will distinguish the flu from a cold?
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】根据第五段倒数第二句“fever is one of the characteristic features of the flu for all ages”可知， 发烧是各个年龄段流感患者的重要特征， 因此， 正确答案为B选项。
单选题 If children have flu-like symptoms, their parents _____.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】文章中倒数第二段提到， 对于儿童和青少年而言， 即使出现了流感或感冒症状， 为了避免罹患Reye Syndrome,并不推荐使用阿司匹林， 对应题目中的A选项。