The Difference between a Cold and Flu
Flu and colds are two different illnesses, although they share some symptoms. One of the biggest differences between a cold and the flu is that you tend to feel much worse with the flu, often confined to bed for several days.
The flu and cold are caused by viruses, but they are very different. Hundreds of viruses can cause colds, but only three strains cause the flu.
The different symptoms of colds and flu:
Flu symptoms:
People with the flu usually feel unwell for two or three days and continue to experience symptoms for about another five days. After that, you may feel tired for another two or three weeks. The most common flu symptoms are:
• Sudden fever (over 38 degrees Celsius).
• Headache.
• Chills.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle aches.
• Dry cough.
• Sore throat.
Cold symptoms:
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Sore throat.
• Cough.
People with a cold may also have a mild fever, making it easy to confuse a cold with the flu.
Flu symptoms usually develop very quickly, while cold symptoms usually appear over a day or two.
Different treatments for colds and flu:
Flu treatment:
Most people effectively recover from the flu by resting at home, although you should check with your doctor if you:
• Are 65 years of age or older.
• Are pregnant.
• Have heart disease, diabetes, asthma, lung disease, or another long-term medical condition.
• Have a weakened immune system.
• Have a high fever, abdominal or chest pain, or an unbearable headache.
If none of these conditions apply to you, your body should recover from the flu on its own. You should get plenty of rest, stay warm, and drink plenty of water. You can treat flu symptoms by taking:
• Paracetamol to lower fever.
• Ibuprofen for muscle pain.
• Cough syrup if you have a cough.
• A decongestant if you have a stuffy nose.
Cold treatment:
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get enough rest.
• Eat healthy food.
• Use cough syrups or throat lozenges.
• Take painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin.
• Gargle with salt water to relieve throat and nasal congestion.
• Take decongestants to help with a stuffy nose. They can be taken by mouth or as a spray in the nose.
How to prevent cold and flu:
Both the flu and colds are spread by viruses. Viruses are found in the tiny droplets released from the nose and mouth of an infected person when he sneezes or coughs. These droplets may land on surfaces and contaminate them. To reduce your risk of catching a cold or the flu, you should:
• Wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your mouth or eating.
• Wipe contaminated surfaces regularly, such as doorknobs and keyboards.
• Use a tissue to cough and sneeze.
• Don't leave tissues lying around; throw them in the trash immediately.
• Get a flu vaccine.
There is no vaccine for the common cold due to the many different viruses that cause it. However, there is a flu vaccine, which is updated every year due to new strains. While the vaccine does not provide 100% protection, it significantly reduces the chances of getting the flu.
