COLD AND FLU

Is there any difference between cold and flu symptoms?

The answer is yes. Cold and Flu are 2 different medical conditions. Most people are confused with these. The simplest way to tell the difference is by looking at your symptoms. But Symptoms of both can overlap.

Here are some basic guidelines for telling the difference between cold and flu symptoms, and what to do if you have either one of these infections.

Common Cold

The common cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. According to CDC (Centres for disease control and prevention) the rhinovirus is most common virus causing common cold. It’s highly contagious.

Though you can catch a cold at any time of year, colds are more common during the winter months. This is because most cold-causing viruses thrive in low humidity.

Colds spread when someone who’s sick sneezes or coughs, sending virus-filled droplets flying.

You can get sick if you touch a surface (such as a doorknob) that has recently been handled by an infected person and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.

You’re most contagious in the first two to four days after you’re exposed to the cold virus.

 Symptoms of Common Cold:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Headacheor body aches
• Mild tiredness

Seasonal Flu

Influenza or the flu, is another upper respiratory illness. Unlike a cold, which can hit at any time of year, the flu is generally seasonal. Flu season usually runs from fall to spring, peaking during the winter months.

During flu season, you can catch the flu in the same way you’d pick up a cold like :By contact with droplets, spread by an infected person.

You can spread the disease to another person from one day before you have symptoms to 5- 7 days after you show symptoms.

The seasonal flu is caused by the influenza A, B, and C viruses, with influenza A and B being the most common types.

Active strains of influenza virus vary from year to year. That’s why a new flu vaccine is developing each year.

• Unlike the common cold, the flu can develop into a more serious condition, such as pneumoniain young children, older adults, pregnant women, people with health conditions that weaken their immune system, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.

Symptoms of Seasonal Flu

• Dry, hacking cough.
• Moderate to high fever, although not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
• Sore throat
• Shaking chills
• Severe muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Stuffy and runny nose
• Severe fatigue that may last up to two weeks.
• Nausea and vomiting,as well as diarrhoea

Prevention

Avoidance

Because colds spread so easily, the best way of prevention is avoidance.

Stay away from anyone who’s sick.

Don’t share utensils or any other personal items, such as a toothbrush or towel. Sharing goes both ways.

When you’re sick with a cold, stay home.

Good hygiene

Practice good hygiene.

Wash your hands often with hot water and soap to get rid of any germs you might’ve picked up during the day or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.

Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth when they’re not freshly washed.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Always wash your hands afterward.

DIAGNOSIS

COLD Most people with a common cold can be diagnosed by their signs and symptoms. If your healthcare provider suspects that you have a bacterial infection or other condition, he or she may order a chest X-ray or other tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

FLU After doing the physical examination, your health care provider may order a test that detects influenza viruses. Polymerase chain reaction( PCR) testing is more sensitive than other tests and may be able to identify the influenza strain.

Treatment

Cold

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Take rest.
• Medication such as antihistamines, decongestants, acetaminophen, and NSAIDs, can relieve congestion, aches, and other cold symptoms.
• Colds usually clear up within 7 to 10 days.
• Because a cold is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective at treating it but you have allergies or a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics, such as sinusitisor strep throat.

FLU

• Fluids and rest are the best ways to treat the flu like when we have cold.
• Drink plenty of Fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Decongestants and pain relievers, such as ibuprofenand acetaminophen, may control your symptoms and help you feel better.
• Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir (Relenza), or peramivir to treat the flu.

These drugs can shorten the duration of the flu and prevent complications such as pneumonia. However, they may not be effective if not started within 48 hours of getting sick. 

When to seek medical Help

If you’re at risk of complications from the flu, seek medical attention   when you first have symptoms. People at risk of serious complications include:

• People over the age of 65
• Pregnant women
• Women who are two weeks postpartum
• Children under the age of 2
• Children under age 18 taking aspirin.
• Those with weakened immune systems due to HIV, steroid treatment, or chemotherapy
• People who are extremely obese
• People with chronic lungor heart conditions
• People with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, anaemia, or kidney disease
• People living in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.

Contact your health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they become severe like:

• Trouble breathing
• Severe sore throat
• Cough that produces green mucus
• High, persistent fever
• Chest pain

In case of child if they develop the following symptoms seek emergency medical help:

• trouble breathing
• irritability
• extreme fatigue
• refusing to eat or drink.
• trouble waking up or interacting.

 OUTLOOK

It’s important to adopt healthy habits to keep cold and flu germs away. You should always make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise, and manage your stress during cold and flu season and afterward.

The best and most effective way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot. Recommended getting the flu vaccine at the start of flu season.