When you wake up in the morning, you have a runny nose, a cough, aches in your body, and a slight fever... You don't even feel like getting out of bed. At this time, one of the things we think is, "Oh, do I have a simple cold, or a slightly severe fever?" It is very important to know the difference between the two. Because while a common cold subsides in a few days, some types of flu can put you in a lot of trouble for weeks. Not only that, if the fever persists, it can turn into serious conditions like
pneumonia and even require hospitalization. So, let's talk about this in detail.
What are the symptoms of a common cold?
A cold usually starts with
a sore throat or a runny nose . But that goes away in about a day or two. Then the nasal symptoms start. Things like a runny nose and a stuffy nose occur. A cough may also start after four to five days. Adults are less likely to have a fever when they get a cold, but they may have a slight fever. Young children are more likely to have a fever with a cold. For the first few days, the discharge from the nose is watery. After a few days, this can
thicken and turn yellow or green . Many people are afraid at this time, thinking, "Oh, this must be a bacterial
infection ." But don't be afraid. It is normal for the discharge to change color. It does not always mean that you have a bacterial infection, for example, a
sinus infection.
Remember, a cold can be caused by one of hundreds of viruses . That's why we get colds so often throughout our lives.
How long does a cold last?
Symptoms of a cold usually last about a week.
You can spread the disease to others within the first three days after you start having symptoms.Therefore, it is best to stay home and rest during those days. If your cold doesn't seem to be getting better after a week, you may have developed a bacterial infection. In that case, your doctor may recommend antibiotics. Sometimes cold symptoms can be confused with allergies (allergic rhinitis or hay fever) or sinusitis. If your cold symptoms start suddenly and then improve within a week, it is most likely a cold, not an allergy. If your symptoms don't improve after a week, it is wise to talk to your doctor to make sure it is an allergy or sinusitis.
So what are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu symptoms are usually more severe than a cold, and
they start very quickly. They can make you feel weak and dizzy. The main symptoms of flu are:
Some types of flu can also cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Most flu symptoms will gradually subside within two to five days, but it is common to feel unwell for a week or more.
Pneumonia is a serious complication of the flu. This is especially dangerous for young children, the elderly, and people with lung or heart disease. If you have
difficulty breathing , you should tell your doctor right away. Another sign of pneumonia is a fever that goes away for a day or two and then comes back.
How do you accurately distinguish and identify these two?
The best way to tell if you have a cold or the flu is to take your temperature. A cold rarely causes a fever above 101°F (38.3°C). But a flu can start with a high fever and a sore throat. Body aches are also more common with a fever. This chart will help you understand the difference.
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|
| Starting speed | Slowly, gradually | Suddenly, suddenly |
| Fever | Rarely, but rarely | I often have, I get a fever frequently. |
| Body pain | Slightly | There is often, strongly |
| Cough | Normal, may be mucous | Often a dry cough, which can be severe |
| Crocodile hunting | Often seen | Rarely |
| Nasal congestion | Often seen | may be |
| Sore throat | Often seen | may be |
| Headache. | Rarely | Often seen |
When should I see a doctor?
Even for a common cold, it is very important to see a doctor if you have the symptoms below.
- Fever lasting more than three days: This could be a sign of another bacterial infection.
- Severe pain when swallowing:While a slight scratchy throat is normal, unbearable pain may indicate a throat infection (strep throat) that requires treatment.
- Persistent cough: If your cough doesn't go away after two to three weeks, it could be a condition like bronchitis, which may require antibiotics.
- Persistent nasal congestion and headache: If you have pain around your eyes and face, along with a thick, runny nose that persists for a week, it could be a sinus infection (Sinusitis).
Situations requiring emergency treatment (go to the ETU!)
In some cases, you need to seek immediate medical attention. Be very careful about these symptoms. If you have any of these, go
to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Emergency symptoms for adults
| Severe chest pain |
| Severe headache |
| Difficulty breathing |
| Dizziness |
| Confusion |
| Persistent vomiting |
Emergency symptoms for children
| Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing |
| Bluish discoloration of the skin |
| Not drinking enough fluids |
| Laziness, lack of interest in the surroundings |
| Extreme restlessness or irritability |
| Symptoms improve and then suddenly get worse again |
| Rash with fever |
How can you protect yourself from these diseases?
The most important and simplest way to protect yourself from both colds and flu is to wash your hands regularly. It's not just about washing your hands with water, but also by rubbing your hands together with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds . These viruses enter our bodies through areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. If we touch these areas with dirty hands, we can easily get sick. In addition, you can get
the flu vaccine to protect yourself from the flu (seasonal flu). Within two weeks of getting the vaccine, your body develops antibodies that protect you from the flu. You can learn more about this by asking your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- A cold is a relatively mild condition, while a flu is a condition that comes on suddenly and has more severe symptoms.
- High fever and severe body aches are common symptoms of the flu.
- Most colds clear up within a week. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids .
- If you have emergency symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, or confusion, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly is the best way to protect yourself from these diseases.
- If you have any doubts about anything, never hesitate to seek advice from your doctor.
Cold, flu, symptoms, pneumonia, virus, cough, sore throat, common cold, flu symptoms
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