Have you ever been sick and wondered if you had a cold or the flu? Or what the difference is? Have you questioned what over-the-counter medications to use, or when you should seek medical attention?

The cold and flu season is upon us, and many Iowans are left wondering these very questions. To help clear up some of the confusion, Amy Crane, a physician assistant with the Des Moines University Family Medicine Clinic, interprets medical information that you need to know for the upcoming months.

“The flu is actually influenza, which is a respiratory virus,”...