Whats is the difference between a cold and a flu?
Flu is not a ‘bad cold’. Each year, thousands of people die of complications after catching the flu. Colds and flu share some of the same symptoms (cough, sore throat), but are caused by different viruses. Flu can be much more serious than a cold.
There are around 200 viruses that cause colds and just three that cause flu. There are many strains of these flu viruses, and the vaccine changes every year to protect against the most common ones.
Colds cause more nasal problems, such as blocked nose, than flu. Fever, fatigue and muscle aches are more likely and more severe with flu.
Colds
Symptoms of a cold include:
- runny nose – beginning with clear mucus that develops into thicker, green mucus as the cold progresses
- blocked nose
- sore throat
- sneezing
- cough
People with a cold may also suffer with a mild fever, earache, tiredness and headache. Symptoms develop over one or two days and gradually get better after a few days. Some colds can last for up to two weeks. A cold is most contagious during the early stages, when the person has a runny nose and sore throat.
Flu
Flu usually comes on much more quickly than a cold, and symptoms include:
- sudden fever of 38-40C (100-104F)
- muscle aches and pains
- sweating
- feeling exhausted and needing to lie down
- a dry, chesty cough
A person with flu may also have a runny nose and be prone to sneezing, but these are not usually the defining symptoms of flu.
Flu symptoms appear one to three days after infection and most people recover within a week, although you may feel tired for longer. A severe cold can also cause muscle aches and fever, so it can be hard to tell the difference.
*Source: www.nhs.uk
Most generally healthy people don’t really need to see a doctor when they’re are having a cold or a flu. It’s only advisable to seek medical help when the person already has ongoing medical complications like heart or kidney diseases. It is common to have a fever that can last for 72 hours (3 days). I personally have barely taken my children (even when they’re very young) to see a GP even when they have a fever reaching 40C (104F). The body needs time to fight the infection and the fever is a sign of the body building the immunity. Building immunity is very important to fight the next attack so please spare the need to request your GP for antibiotics.
Growing up in Asia, it is very noticeable that a lot of parents and adults themselves keep badgering their doctor for antibiotics. Though I have come across doctors who offer them to me themselves!! Shame of them! Antibiotics, as the name suggests, is strictly for fighting bacteria. A virus is not a bacteria.
So what can you do to stop possible infection? Before you even need to grab this Vicks sparay?
Stop the viruses spreading
Cold and flu viruses are spread by droplets that are coughed or sneezed out by an infected person. Other people can breathe in these droplets or transfer the droplets to their eyes or nose, via their fingers.
Protect yourself and others against colds and flu by:
- coughing or sneezing into a tissue
- throwing a used tissue away as soon as possible
- washing your hands as soon as possible
- having a flu jab every year if you’re in an at-risk group
Colds and flu viruses can also be passed on via infected droplets on objects or surfaces, such as door handles. You can help to prevent passing on or getting colds and flu by washing your hands regularly, and avoiding touching your eyes and nose.
I really hope you stay warm and safe this winter. Keep your chest warm, layer up and do keep your nostrils moist with a balm. This stops any possible virus from entering your system. Click this link to see my review of a balm that you can use for doing this.