EDITOR
Harrison Wein, Ph.D., Writer/Editor
National Institutes of Health
Office of the Director,
Office of Communications
and Public Liaison
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B38C, MSC 2090
Bethesda, MD 20892-2090
(301) 435-7489

CONTRIBUTORS
Emily Carlson, Margaret Georgiann (illustrations), Ann London, Abby J. Vogel, M.S. and Harrison Wein, Ph.D.

How To Stop an Outbreak
Computers Help Plan for a Deadly New Flu
As you stand in line waiting to roll up your sleeve for that annual flu shot, you may wonder why you need the influenza vaccine every year when other types of vaccines offer a lifetime of protection. The reason is that the virus that causes the flu constantly changes over time, so the vaccine you got last year may not protect you against the bug this year.

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Cold, Flu or Allergy?
Figuring Out What’s Ailing You
Each year, millions of school and work days are missed because of colds and flu, and we’re heading into their prime season now. How you can best treat your condition depends on whether it’s a cold or flu that’s ailing you. Since these diseases share many of the same symptoms, they’re sometimes hard to tell apart.

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• Sniffing Out Drugs
• Teen Brains: Still Under Construction
• Hidden Persuaders
• Preventing Childhood Obesity