Cold and Flu (Influenza): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
The common cold- includes chest cold &/or head cold
Both cold and seasonal flu are caused by viruses
Usage over-the-counter OTC cold medications to relieve symptoms including sore throat, runny nose, congestion, and cough are also advised to be taken under medical supervision.
Flu symptoms (are similar) - additionally include fever, headache, and muscle soreness. Here medical consultation becomes a necessity for prescription of ideal antiviral medications
Lets compare Flu or Cold Symptoms?
Common symptoms:
- sneezing,
- coughing,
- achy,
- feverish,
- can't move a muscle feeling
Why to diagnose whether cold symptoms or the flu is present?
Cold - milder respiratory illness than the flu.
Cold symptoms persist for few days
Flu symptoms persist for a few days to weeks. (if not treated may result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and emergency hospitalizations).
After justifying the need to distinguish between flu and cold symptoms lets elaborate each individually:
Common Cold Symptoms - In Synchronizing Orders
- sore throat (day or two)
- Nasal symptoms
- runny nose
- congestion follow
- along with a cough by the fourth and fifth days
- Fever is uncommon in adults
- Children are more likely to have a fever with a cold.
- nose teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few days (a week or so)
- Later, nasal secretion becomes thicker and darker.
Etiology:: Several hundred different viruses may cause your cold symptoms.
How long do cold symptoms last?- Cold symptoms usually last for about a week.
When is cold contagious:- During the first three days means the patient can pass the cold to others.
What and when if cold symptoms don’t go away:-Patient may have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics.
When to check to the doctor for cold?---check with a doctor to see if a patient developed an allergy or sinusitis even if after 10-12 days cold symptoms doesn’t go off
Common Flu Symptoms - In Synchronizing Order
(Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms)
- sore throat
- fever,
- headache,
- muscle aches,
- soreness,
- congestion,
- cough,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea
When flu improve ?--- after two to five days, (still not uncommon to feel run down for a week or more)
What are common complications of the flu?--- pneumonia, lung, or heart problems?
When to visit doctor ?--- if shortness of breath present
Flu viruses also enter the body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, or mouth.
Is it flu or cold symptoms?----record temperature as Flu mimic cold on contrary a common cold doesn’t have a fever above 101 degrees.
Standard flu season: highlighting fall to spring of the next year.
When emergency medical attention is required?
In adults,
- Severe chest pain
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Persistent vomiting
In children,
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Lethargy and failure to interact normally
- Extreme irritability or distress
- Symptoms that were improving and then suddenly worsen
- Fever with a rash
How To Prevent The Flu Or Cold?
- frequent hand washing
- flu vaccine to prevent seasonal influenza
- maintain social distancing
Flu Treatment
- Flu Medications
- Choosing OTC Drugs
- Antiviral Drugs
- Antibiotics dependent on symptoms
Common Cold Treatment: treatment has two goals: to control symptoms and boost immunity