Cold and Flu

Intermediate ESL Level


I. Pre-reading

  1. When was the last time you caught a cold?
  2. How long did it last?
  3. What did you do?
  4. Did you have to take a break from your regular activities?


II. Vocabulary

avoidchillsmilddosage
virusessevere garglesparingly
symptoms congestion reducemucus

III. Reading

Any season is really “cold season,” but we always think about it more when the weather gets bad. Here are some facts and helpful advice about colds and flu. You will learn how to avoid them and what to do if you can’t!

The common cold is caused by one of more than 200 viruses. Symptoms can include a fever, watery eyes, runny nose, sore throat and a cough. Influenzas or flu and colds are caused by different viruses. Flu may have the symptoms just listed but also include chills and severe lung congestion. To avoid catching the flu or a cold, you can do the following:

  • Wash your hands often. Shaking hands and touching doorknobs and grocery carts spread germs.
  • Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Avoid people who are coughing or sneezing.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Eat healthy and get mild exercise.
  • Drink plenty of liquids.
  • Consider taking Vitamin C or Echinacea. Some studies have shown that this may be helpful in fighting cold symptoms.

If you don´t avoid a cold or flu virus, here are some things you can do to feel better sooner.
  • Eat chicken soup. It contains a substance which helps you breathe.
  • Gargle at the first sign of a "scratchy" throat. Use mouthwash or salt in warm water.
  • Stay warm.
  • For adults, take aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and aches. For children, give ONLY acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow dosage on package!
  • Drink hot beverages and take hot showers. Steam is good for breathing.
  • Drink plenty of liquids.
  • Use cough syrup sparingly. Coughing can help the body get rid of mucus.
  • Use throat lozenges for relief from a sore throat. Some studies have shown that zinc lozenges may be helpful in fighting cold symptoms.
  • Put an extra pillow under your head when you sleep to help your breathing.
  • Rest. This is the very best "medicine."

Call the doctor if:
  • you are not better in a few days
  • your fever continues to be high
  • you have difficulty breathing
  • you develop a serious cough
  • you have a medical condition that makes you sicker

Do not insist that the doctor give you antibiotics because they are
not effective against a virus. Let the doctor decide if a
prescription is a good idea for your illness.


IV. Post-reading


Choose the correct answer. Click on "Select" to choose your best answers. After you have answered all the questions, go back and click on "Answer" to see the correct answers. How many correct answers did you have?

  1.   Always following the recommended written on the medicine package.
  

  2.   You can take aspirin to your fever.
  

  3.   There are more than 200 cold !
  

  4.   Flu may include a fever,,and severe lung .
   

  5.   You can learn to catching a cold.
  

  6.   Coughing can help get rid of ,so use cough syrup .
  

  7.   Use either mouthwash or salt water to .
 

True or False?  Click on "Select" to choose your answers. After you have answered all the questions, go back and click on "Answer" to see the correct answers.

  1.     Shaking hands with someone can spread germs.
  

  2.     Getting enough rest and eating healthy foods can help keep you well.
  

  3.     Eating chicken soup won´t really help you feel better.
  

  4.     The common cold and flu are caused by cold weather.
  

  5.     When you are sick, rest is the best medicine.
  

V. Activities

If you are working with a tutor or a partner, discuss your answers.
  1. Make a list of things to do to avoid getting a cold or the flu.
  2. Make a list of things to do to make yourself feel better when you have a cold or the flu.
  3. Make a study of your family and friends. Ask them how many colds they have had in the past year. What do they do when they catch a cold?
  4. Look in your medicine cabinet. If you catch a cold or the flu, what medicines will help you?
Writing suggestion

Write a few sentences to explain the best way to prevent catching a cold.