What Are The Differences Between Cold And Flu

There are probably no two illnesses that have been confused and their names used interchangeably as cold and flu

. Yet they are two relatively common illnesses that will affect virtually everybody at some point in their life. Even though there are similarities between the two, there are several differences that distinguish each ailment. Overall, understanding the characteristics of each is the first step to getting treatment right.

Both cold and flu are highly infectious diseases and for them to spread, it only needs one infected person in a poorly ventilated room to help them carry on to their next victim.

The symptoms of a cold include a runny nose which starts with clear mucus and gradually becomes thicker as the cold develops. Other symptoms include sneezing, a blocked nose and a sore throat. The symptoms are sometimes accompanied by a fever, fatigue and earache and move on quickly to take just two days to develop in most cases. The cold can sometimes take up to 2 weeks to clear.

On the other hand, flu is caused when the influenza viruses infect the lower respiratory tract's endothelium cells. The cells start to die in a matter of hours leading to a bacterial build up. Flu symptoms then start to take shape including a dry cough, sore throat, a high fever (up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), body aches, nausea and a burning sensation in the eyes. Like the cold, flu symptoms can take about two weeks to clear.

On average, children catch colds about 12 times each year while the rate is 4 times a year in adults. The severity of the infection depends on the virus which caused it, with corona viruses being the worst. The flu virus is less predictable than the common cold. A healthy person can recover from the flu within a week. But if the person was not in good health at the time of infection, the infection can be severe and even fatal. Persons suffering from heart and kidney diseases or with an immune-compromised state (e.g. due to HIV) are also at high risk.

Both cold and flu do not necessarily require medication for one to be cured since they are both caused by viruses. For a cold, the patient just needs plenty of fluids and can also gargle warm salty water to soothe the throat. A fever can be managed with over the counter aspirin. One can use decongestants but this only shortens the period of the cold. For the flu symptoms, rest is mandatory plus some medication. A paracetemol can be used to suppress the aches and fevers.

by: Patrick Holloway

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