Cold and Flu
A cold and the flu (also called influenza) are alike in many ways. But the flu can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like the lung disease pneumonia.
A stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing are usually signs of a cold.
Tiredness, fever, headache, and major aches and pains probably mean you have the flu.
Coughing can be a sign of either a cold or the flu. But a bad cough usually points to the flu.
Symptoms of Cold and Flu
A cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, coughing and having a runny nose. You may not have a fever or you may run a low fever--just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual. You may also have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache.
The flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You'll probably feel weak and tired, and have a fever, dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, eye pain and a sore throat. It usually takes longer to get over the flu than a cold.
Causes of colds and flu
Viruses. Over 100 different viruses can cause colds. There aren't as many viruses that cause the flu. That's why there's a shot for the flu and not for colds.
Try to Avoid Getting a Cold
? Wash your hands often. You can pick up cold germs easily, even when shaking someone's hand or touching doorknobs or handrails.
? Avoid people with colds when possible.
? If you sneeze or cough, do it into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
? Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant.
? Don't touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Germs can enter your body easily by these paths
Try to Avoid Getting The Flu
A flu shot can greatly lower your chance of getting the flu. The best time to get the shot is from the middle of October to the middle of November, because most people get the flu in the winter.
The shot can't cause the flu. But you may feel sore or weak or have a fever for a couple of days.
Help Yourself Feel Better While You Are Sick
A cold usually lasts only a couple of days to a week. Tiredness from the flu may continue for several weeks.
To feel better while you are sick:
? Drink plenty of fluids.
? Get plenty of rest.
? Use a humidifier -- an electric device that puts water into the air.
? A cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help.
For More Detail
