It’s an ordinary Monday morning. You get up and you flip on the morning news, only you can’t believe what you’re seeing on the screen: public-health officials dressed in gowns, gloves, and masks talking about closing schools and offices in order to decrease the spread of the pandemic flu. Hospitals, jammed with people, are moving overflow patients to makeshift health care outposts in public buildings.

Sound like the latest Hollywood action thriller? The fall out from the H1N1 "swine" flu? A replay of the 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto? Could this really happen in the event of a much-talked-about pandemic? More likely, however, you're at risk for encountering the flu -- whether it's the more common seasonal flu or a pandemic, like swing flu. One in five Americans get the flu during flu season -- which typically runs from November through March, say experts at the CDC.

Fortunately, you can combat the effects of flu with a 48-hour response plan. If flu strikes, you’ll probably have fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, and all-over body aches. You might also experience nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Experts agree that the best advice is rest, plenty of warm liquids, and medications to treat your symptoms. Although there is no medication
to cure the flu, there are several antiviral medications available that can lessen its duration and severity (See the “48-Hour Flu Response” below). Keep in mind that antibiotics are useless against viruses.

While you’re recovering, minimize your exposure to others to avoid transmitting the flu. You’ll probably experience the symptoms and effects of your body fighting the virus for seven to 10 days; see your health care provider ifyour symptoms continue for more than 10 days, if you have trouble breathing or develop shortness of breath, if you feel faint, if you have pain or pressure in your chest, or if you have prolonged fever above 102 degrees.

Distinguishing between seasonal influenza and the common cold can be difficult, but both are viruses and neither will respond to antibiotic treatment. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer the following advice on differentiating between the two: Colds are usually milder than the flu; in addition, people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Finally, colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. With a good 48-hour response plan, you can keep the flu under control as well.

Get an antiviral: Ask your health care provider about Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). These must be taken within the first 48 hours of flu onset. Go right to bed: Your body is fighting infection, so get rest. You should also drink plenty of fluids such as juices and warm decaffeinated teas in order to stay adequately hydrated.

Prevent pain: Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprophen (Advil) for aches and pains. Don’t give aspirin to children or teens.

Skip the antibiotics: They don’t work against viruses such as the flu, and you’ll only impair their ability to work when you need them.

Stay clean: Wash your hands regularly and each time you encounter an infected person. Use antibacterial gels and wipes: Keep surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, remote controls, and other often-touched items clean in your home.