Understanding ailments: Distinguishing between cold and flu
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of preventing respiratory illnesses, including the flu, during flu season cannot be overstated. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months and above, as it has a good safety and effectiveness record.
The flu, unlike the common cold, is caused by influenza viruses, primarily types A and B in humans. These viruses are responsible for seasonal outbreaks and can affect various mammals and birds. In contrast, the common cold is caused by over 200 different viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common. Summer colds often involve enteroviruses, which can affect the digestive system.
The symptoms of the flu and the common cold share some similarities, but the flu tends to be more severe with a sudden onset. Common cold symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, and mild body aches, which last about 7 to 10 days. The flu, on the other hand, comes with a dry cough, fever, chills, sore throat, severe body aches, headache, and fatigue. Runny nose is less common with the flu compared to a cold.
The flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, and worsening of pre-existing health conditions like asthma and heart disease. The common cold, however, generally does not lead to serious complications in healthy individuals, although it can exacerbate existing conditions.
Both the common cold and the flu are contagious and can be caught through close contact with an infected person, breathing in respiratory droplets containing the virus, or touching a contaminated surface.
During the 2018-2019 flu season, more than 35.5 million people caught the flu, resulting in nearly 34,000 deaths. It is essential to take steps to avoid catching viruses that cause respiratory illnesses and to reduce the risk of them spreading. These steps include avoiding close contact with others when either person is sick, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, washing the hands regularly, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth, disinfecting surfaces regularly, getting plenty of sleep, staying active, reducing stress, and drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious foods.
While antibiotics do not work against either colds or the flu, most people recover within 2 weeks without medical treatment. For those seeking relief, a wide range of cold and flu remedies are available in drugstores, supermarkets, and online, including saline nose drops, vapor rubs, throat lozenges, and Tylenol.
As we navigate through the flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to understand the differences between the common cold and the flu to manage symptoms effectively and prevent transmission. The flu is a more severe illness with a higher risk of complications, so taking precautions to avoid it is essential.
- In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, preventing respiratory illnesses like the flu during flu season is of significant importance due to the potential severity and associated complications.
- The flu is caused by influenza viruses, primarily types A and B, while the common cold is instigated by over 200 different viruses, including rhinoviruses.
- During flu season, symptoms such as high fever, chills, severe body aches, headache, and fatigue suggest the flu, unlike the common cold, which is characterized by a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild body aches lasting about 7 to 10 days.
- The flu can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and worsening of pre-existing health conditions like asthma and heart disease, whereas the common cold generally does not cause significant complications in healthy individuals.
- Both the common cold and the flu are contagious and can be spread via close contact with an infected person, respiratory droplets, or contaminated surfaces.
- Maintaining hygiene practices, such as avoiding close contact, washing hands regularly, disinfecting surfaces, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, can help reduce the risk of catching and spreading both the common cold and the flu.
- Although antibiotics do not work against viruses causing the common cold or the flu, other treatments and remedies, such as saline nose drops, vapor rubs, and Tylenol, can help manage symptoms and provide relief to those affected.
