As the weather cools, more of us begin suffering from colds and influenza? But which is it? Is it a common cold or is it the flu? And if it is the flu, is it seasonal flu or the H1N1 so-called “swine flu?” Internal Medicine specialist Dr. Thomas Belt address these and other questions surrounding cold and flu season in this Health Connection post.

How do I know if it’s a cold and how do I know if it’s the flu? (first question)

Are the symptoms different for seasonal flu as opposed to H1N1 flu? (skip to 2:03)

If I have flu-like symptoms, how do I know when it’s time to call the doctor? (skip to 2:55)

How do physicians determine whether or not I have the flu? (skip to 4:16)

How is the flu treated? How is a common cold treated? (skip to 5:23)

Are there comfort measures or over-the-counter medications for the flu? (skip to 6:40)

Is there anything that is effective for nasal discharge in connection with colds and flu? (skip to 7:20)

Welcome to the new face of Health Connection! For nearly 20 years, the doctors and medical professionals of The U.T. Health Science Center at Tyler have answered your health questions on radio via one minute vignettes on everything from asthma to vitamins.  Now, Health Connection is a video series that is like a one-on-one consultation with members of the medical staff of The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler. We hope you enjoy the new format and we hope you will share the information you find here with your friends and family members.

What is H1N1, sometimes called the “Swine Flu” and how should we deal with it? Dr. Jeffrey Levin is the chair and Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. He answers questions including:

What is H1N1 and where did it come from? (first question)

What are the symptoms of the H1N1 virus? (skip to 2:00)

Is it true that H1N1 is easier to get and more severe than seasonal flu? (skip to 3:30)

How can you tell if you have H1N1? (skip to 4:53)

Who is at greatest risk of contracting H1N1? (skip to 5:49)

Why do we need to get two flu shots this season? (skip to 7:14) and

What can we do to protect ourselves from getting sick with the H1N1 virus? (skip to 8:20)