TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Although it may not feel like fall outside, soon temperatures will fall and the chances of contracting the flu and common cold will increase.

“We leave here right after Thanksgiving or first of December, for the school break and usually when we see it the most is when we come back after the first of the year,” Nurse Practitioner Jacque Chirico said.

When symptoms appear, it can be difficult to determine whether you are suffering from a cold or just the flu.

“Common cold starts usually with a running nose, a scratchy throat, some cough, congestion,” Chirico explained. “The Flu usually comes on a lot faster, one day you’re feeling okay you might start feeling a little not good by the end of the day, and the next morning, you may be achy, you may be running fever, and then you get congestion, and a lot of the times with that or nausea or vomiting.”

HEALTH NEWS: Students share mental health management tactics

If you believe you have a cold or the flu, Chirico says it is important to take measures that can keep the virus from spreading.

Chirico points out that, “If you start having symptoms, you need to be alert about not be coughing in big crowds, or in front of people while talking to them, try to stay in more, until you start to get feeling better. That’s the biggest thing just being conscious of where you are and who you are around.”

Chirico also encourages everyone to flu shots to prepare yourself from any sickness scare.

For any question or concerns you may have relating to sicknesses, Troy University’s Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can be reached at (334) 670-3452.