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Cold & Flu Basics Center

Colds and flu affect most people at some point. Common colds are minor upper respiratory infections caused by hundreds of different viruses and are highly contagious. Influenza is one of the most common infectious viral diseases. The flu may be prevented in many people who receive the flu vaccine. Bird flu is caused by viruses that in rare cases may spread from birds to people.

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Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

Find out what our expert has to say about colds, flu, infections and other health issues in Health Journal, with Dr. Fernstrom.

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Copyright (c) 2000-2008 iVillage Inc. All rights reserved. The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.