With each change of season comes an increase in respiratory illness, such as the common cold and influenza, and unfortunately, regions like Texas are not immune. Recognizing the differences is important to effective treatment and prevention of these diseases. This guide can help you tell a cold from the flu, what the symptoms are and when to get medical care.
Understanding the Common Cold
The common cold is one of the viral infection that mainly targets upper respiratory tract like the nose and throat. It’s most often caused by rhinoviruses, but can be triggered by a variety of other viruses. Symptoms appear gradually and are usually mild.
Common Cold Symptoms:
- Nasal Congestion: Stuffy or runny nose
- Sore throat: A scratchy or irritated throat
- Cough: Usually mild; dry or productive.
- Sneezing: Repeated forceful expulsion of air from the nose and mouth.
- Fatigue (Mild): Tiredness without extreme exhaustion.
- Low-grade fever: Often present, particularly in children.
Understanding Influenza (Flu)
What is influenza (flu)? Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is more severe than the common cold and can get serious.
Flu Symptoms:
- Fever: Onset of elevated body temperature.
- Severe cough: Usually dry and persistent.
- Sore Throat: Like cold but stronger
- Body Aches: Important pain in body as well as muscles.
- Fatigue: Very strong tiredness and weakness.
- Chills: Shaking with fear, while feeling cold.
- Headache: Frequent and can be intense.
- Nasal Congestion: Possible, but infrequent compared to a cold.
Main Differences Between Cold and Flu
Although both are respiratory illnesses, a number of things can help differentiate between them:
- Symptom Onset: Colds happen over a few days, while flu symptoms come on suddenly.
- Fever: High fevers often happen with flu but seldom with colds.
- Body Aches: Flu usually leads to severe aches in the muscles; colds generally do not.
- Fatigue: Flu comes with more debilitating fatigue than colds do.
When to Seek Medical Care
It’s important to see a health care provider if you have:
- Breathing Problems: Including shortness of breath or wheezing.
- Chest Pain: Prolonged or extreme pain.
- High Fever: If it lasts longer than three days especially.
- Worsening headache: Not responding to over-the-counter pain medication
- Extreme Vomiting: Cannot hold fluids.
- Disorientation: A sudden state of confusion or dizziness.
People at greater risk for flu complications, including young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions, should be especially vigilant.
Prevention and Treatment
Prevention Tips:
- Vaccination: Get an annual flu shot. Everyone age six months and older should get vaccinated.
- Washing your hands: Regularly washing your hands with soap and also water.
- Avoid Close Contact: Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow.
Treatment Strategies:
- Rest: Give your body time to heal.
- Rehydrate yourself followed by plenty of water to nourish your body.
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and alleviate aches.
- Antiviral Medications: For the flu, antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) can be prescribed; they are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Home Remedies:
- Warm Liquids: Help soothe sore throats and relieve congestion.
- Humidifiers: To moisten air that helps you breathe.
- Saline Nasal Drops: Alleviate nasal congestion.
Seek the Right Care
Understanding the differences between the common cold and the flu is essential for effective treatment and avoiding complications. If you’re unsure about your symptoms or if they get worse, talk to a healthcare provider. So, that is where Absolute Urgent Care comes into the picture for you too.
