The following table shows the differences between symptoms of the common cold and the more severe flu:
| Cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|
| Pathogen | Coronaviruse Respiratory syncytial viruse |
Influenza A viruse Influenza B viruse Influenza C viruse |
| Symptoms | headache runny or stuffy nose sore throat |
|
| mild to moderate fever body aches sneezing cough mild tiredness |
moderate to high fever severe body/muscle aches sore throat dry, hacking cough shaking chills profound fatigue |
|
| Treatment | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) to relieve aches drink plenty of fluids |
|
| - | antiviral drugs |
|
| Prevention | stay away from anyone who is sick wash your hands often with soap |
|
| - | flu vaccine |
|
As you can see, both diseases are causes by viruses, however different kinds of viruses. Hence, the symptoms are different.
If you are less than 100% sure, you will feel better and recover faster if you let yourself rest. Simple relaxation has been found to increase immune system cells.
Eating balanced meals, exercising regularly and keeping a positive frame of mind can go a long way toward heightening our immunity against the flu.
Be sure to visit your doctor if you are running a fever.
I received a flu shot back in Nov. or Dec.2013,Since that time I have had a severe chest and head cold or the flu 4 times. I'm going to be 63 and never in my entire life have I had respiratory problems like this.
ReplyDeleteI take all kinds of supplements including several antioxidants.I eat healthy and take fiber supplements.I exercise daily.I wash my hands probably 8 to 10 times a day.I don't smoke and hardly ever take a drink. Pretty soon I'm going to throw all of these supplements in the garbage and start smoking and drinking.It seems that the people I know that constantly smoke and drink and eat garbage food are less sick then I am.
ReplyDeleteSo basically the cold is a mild problem thou influenza becomes more of something problematic throughout time.
ReplyDeleteThe Department of Human and Health Services found that, with or without a flu shot, pneumonia and influenza hospitalization rates for the elderly are less than one percent during the influenza season.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of vaccination status, 99 percent of the elderly recover from the flu without being hospitalized
ReplyDelete