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Flu, Anthrax Share Symptoms But Have Key Differences
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
By Jim Caldwell
TRADOC News Service

FORT MONROE, VA -- Army News Service
With the approach of flu season, an Army doctor said people who contract the virus may instead fear they are infected with anthrax.

"That's because the symptoms of flu are similar to the early symptoms of those reported in people infected by the terror weapon," said Col. Bernard DeKoning, command surgeon for the Training and Doctrine Command.

"So, not all symptoms of 'the flu' are caused by influenza or anthrax," he said. "A subtle, but perhaps helpful distinction is that anthrax normally doesn't cause a runny nose or a 'productive cough.'"

A productive cough brings up mucous or drainage.

"One must keep in mind that 'the flu' can be caused by any number of viruses," he said. "'The flu' comprises symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue and/or respiratory discomfort caused by any number of strains of influenza and other viruses."
(More: U.S. Army News Source)
2001 © TRADOC News Service.

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