THE QUIZ: What Do You Know About Winter Health?

Ah, winter. Sleigh bells, snowflakes, hot chocolate and fevers of 102 degrees F and a cough that won't quit. Some people like winter while others--maybe you--think winter is the season for getting sick. See how much you know about staying healthy this winter.

(Answers Below)

1. True or False: About one-in-three people come down with the flu every winter.

2. True or False: The best time to take cough medicine is at night.

3. True or False: Mononucleosis most often occurs in high school students.

4. True or False: Pneumonia can come after a bad cold.

5. True or False: Women feel the cold more than men because they aren't as strong.

6. True or False: When men get sick, they act like babies.

Answers:

1. FALSE: Although everyone seems like they have the flu, it's actually less than that. About 5 to 20 percent of us will get the flu. That's less than one-in-five. And if you're wondering, one in ten people will suffer through strep throat. Most of us will not escape the common, but very annoying cold.

2. TRUE: Over-the-counter liquid cough medicines are most helpful at night because they suppress your cough and let you sleep. However, try not to take them during the day so your lungs can clear themselves of the offensive germs and whatever that are irritating your system. But if a cough persists beyond a week, check it out because it could be something more serious, such as bronchitis or a sinus infection, that requires more aggressive treatment, .

3. FALSE: Mono most commonly affects kids between the ages of six and eleven. That's why it's often misdiagnosed as tonsillitis. When high-schoolers and college students do come down with the misnamed "kissing disease," it's a lot rougher to take. The fatigue can linger for weeks or months. The only real treatment? Fluids and rest. Antibiotics don't do a thing.

4. FALSE: Bad colds may lead to secondary infections, such as bronchitis or sinus infections. But colds usually do not lead to pneumonia. However, the flu can lead to pneumonia--which can be very serious--especially in high-risk groups such as infants, seniors, people with chronic heart and lung disease or weakened immune systems. That's why there's such an active winter campaign recommending flu (and pneumonia) shots for people at risk.

5. TRUE: This is a tricky one. Women aren't as strong in terms of having less muscle than men. Men have the advantage here because muscle burns more calories and calories produce more heat.

6. TRUE: No further explanation necessary.

Analysis:

-All 6 correct: You know a lot about winter colds but you'll still probably get one. Sorry.

-3-5 correct: There's nothing wrong with being average.

-0-2 correct: What you don't know may hurt you during this winter. So take extra vitamin C and listen to your mother.

Got no. 6 wrong? You're a guy.

Sources:

Chief of Influenza Epidemiology, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia

Cooper Institute for Aerobics Fitness, Dallas, Texas

David Levin, MD., pulmonary specialist, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City