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(流感), 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(综合症) ，a rare but serious condition of the liver and central nervous system.

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.

According to the author, knowing the cause of the misery will help ________.

　A) shorten the duration of the illness

　B) the patient buy medicine over the counter

　C) the patient obtain cheaper prescription drugs

　D) prevent people from catching colds and the flu

We learn from the passage that ___________.

 A) one doesn't need to take any medicine if he has a cold or the flu

B) aspirin should not be included in over-the-counter medicines for the flu

C) delayed treatment of the flu will harm the liver and central nervous system

D) over-the-counter drugs can be taken to ease the misery caused by a cold or the flu

According to the passage, to combat the flu effectively, ___________.

A) one should identify the virus which causes it

B) one should consult a doctor as soon as possible

C) one should take medicine upon catching the disease

D) one should remain alert when the disease is spreading

Which of the following symptoms will distinguish the flu from a cold?

A)A stuffy nose. 　　                     B) A high temperature.

C)A sore throat.　　                       D) A dry cough.

If children have flu-like symptoms, their parents _______________.

A) are advised not to give them aspirin

B) should watch out for signs of Reye syndrome

C) are encouraged to take them to hospital for vaccination

D) should prevent them from mixing with people running a fever

The flu is believed _______ by viruses that like to reproduce in the cells inside the human? nose and throat.?

A. causing B. being caused?

C. to be caused D. be have caused?

The flu is believed ______ by viruses that like to reproduce in the cells inside the human nose and throat.

A. to be caused                   B. to have caused               C. being caused                   D. causing

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。（共5小题，满分10分）

Ten ways to Avoid the Flu

l Get a flu shot, particularly if you are 50 or over． In addition, consider a flu shot if you are in regular contact with many people, especially if you live in a dormitory or work in an open-plan office, where hundreds of people are coughing and sneezing in a common area．

l _1. One recent study found that families whose children in daycare were immunized had 42% fewer infections with fever than those whose children weren’t immunized．

l Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly． A quick washing won’t do the trick． _2.

l Keep your hands away from your face to reduce the chance of delivering viruses directly to your eyes or nose． _3.

l Make certain you’re getting vitamin E and other complex vitamins and minerals including A, C and     B． These have properties（特性）that improve immune response． _4.

l Don’t smoke． Smoke stops the hair like cells in the nose and airways from sweeping incoming viruses away before they can infect people．

l Use paper handkerchiefs, not cloth handkerchiefs to reduce spread of infection．

l Reduce stress． Research has shown that immune responses are weakened by stress．

l Get seven to nine hours of sleep a night． Lack of sleep can reduce your immune response．

l _5. Longtime heavy drinkers suffer from more colds and flu than others do, and even regular moderate use of alcohol can weaken immune response．

E. Discuss with your doctor whether to immunize（使免疫）your children in daycare．;

F. Studies on older mice have shown that those with reduced levels of vitamin E were more likely to be infected．

Reduce alcohol consumption（消费量）．

The flu is believed________ by viruses that like to reproduce in the cells inside the human nose and throat．

1. A.
   causing
2. B.
   being caused
3. C.
   to be caused
4. D.
   to have caused