Your nose is running,your throat is scratchy and your head feels stuffy_but do you have a cold or the flu?
Many of us don’t know the difference and we often rush to the doctor thinking the worse.
To clear your confusion, the flu is much worse and aggressive than a cold ,and although the symptoms can be similar ,they do last for longer ,and can have serious complications such as pneumonia, dehydration,and shortness of breath,to name a few.
The following chart is important to help you distinguish between both of them.
This article will cover the common questions asked about flu and cold.
What are the symptoms of cold & flu?
What causes cold & flu?
How to relieve cold & flu
How to prepare for the cold & flu season
The symptoms of cold & flu usually start when you first get a runny nose, followed by watery eyes. Next a stuffy nose and then congestion sets in. And if you’re really unlucky, the sneezing and coughing may start. These symptoms normally last 3-10 days. They may come in stages, peaking when you feel them all at once.
In some cases, you may develop fever and chills. Your body aches, making you feel weak and tired. These symptoms may require medical attention and normally last 7-14 days, or up to 21 days if you’re hit badly.
Symptoms of cold & flu:
What are the symptoms of cold & flu?
The symptoms of cold & flu vary from person to person. They can include:
- A blocked or runny nose
- A sore throat
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- A headache
- More mucus than normal.
More hard hitting symptoms can include:
- A cough. Dry and tickly or chesty and full of mucus.
- A blocked nose. This may be caused by the membrane lining in your nose swelling up.
- Headaches. They are usually caused by an increase in temperature, dehydration and even a blocked nose.
- A fever. Your body fights the infection and your temperature rises above 37.2ºC.
- General body aches and pains. Rest up, drink plenty of water.
What causes cold & flu?
Cold & Flu is an infection which can be caused by a virus. Strangely it has nothing to do with cold climates! It comes from other people’s germs. It’s just when it’s cold, people tend to be closer together, and more likely to share germs.
Cold & Flu is highly contagious. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, the virus will travel on droplets through the air where it can be easily picked up by the next person.
How to relieve cold & flu?
You will need a lot of rest, plenty of fluids and time to allow your cold & flu to run its course. But there are always some extra things that you can do to help minimise your discomfort.
- Keep the air moist with a humidifier to ease the throat and nose discomfort.
- A soothing, warm liquid such as chicken soup can calm a sore, scratchy throat.
- Wash your hands often to avoid spreading infection. If washing is not possible, keeping a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your handbag can be useful.
How to prepare for the cold & flu season
Summer or winter, cold & flu can take its hold on you. Although there are a few things you can do to help keep cold & flu at bay.
- Start with some healthy habits
- Discuss with your healthcare professional whether a flu vaccination is right for you.
- Wash your hands and home surfaces regularly.
- Eat foods with lots of vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system.
- Make exercise part of your life to keep your immune system fighting fit.
How you can help to prevent cold & flu from spreading?
- cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands regularly to kill any bacteria that may cause infection. Or reach for that bottle of hand sanitizer in your handbag.
- Throw away used tissue. Keeping bacteria in your pocket is a no-no.
