When you wake up in the morning, you sneeze, cough, have aches and pains, and feel feverish… There are times when you feel like you have no energy. So at this time, you may be wondering, 'Do I have a cold? Or is it the flu?' It is very important to know the difference between the two. Because while a cold is a common condition that gets better in a few days, the flu can sometimes lead to serious conditions like pneumonia. So let's talk about this in detail.
What are the common symptoms of a cold?
When you get a cold, it usually starts with a sore throat and an itchy throat. That goes away in about a day or two. Then you start to have a runny nose and a stuffy nose . After four or five days, you also start to cough.
Adults are less likely to get a fever with a cold, but they can get a slight fever. However, young children are more likely to get a fever with a cold.
For the first few days, the discharge from your nose will be clear and watery. After a few days, it may thicken and turn yellow or green. This is a common occurrence. But thick, dark discharge doesn't mean you have a bacterial infection. It's normal. There are hundreds of viruses that can cause colds.
Usually, the symptoms of a cold will go away in about a week. However, during the first three days after you have symptoms, you can still spread the disease to others. So it's best to get plenty of rest during those days.
If there is no improvement after a week, you may have another infection. It is wise to see a doctor at such times.
So what are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu symptoms are usually much more severe than a cold, and they start suddenly. The main symptoms that come with a fever are:
- Sore throat
- Very hot.
- Headache
- Body, muscle aches and pains
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
Some types of flu, such as swine flu, can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Most flu symptoms gradually improve within two to five days, but it is common to feel weak and tired for a week or more. One of the most dangerous complications of the flu is pneumonia. This risk is especially high in young children, the elderly, and people with lung or heart disease.
Like the common cold, the flu virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, or mouth. So washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to protect yourself from both illnesses.
So how do you accurately distinguish and identify these two?
The best answer to this question is to check your temperature. Even with a cold, you may experience aches, cough, and stuffy nose, but it is rare to have a high fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius). However, if you have the flu, you will feel very ill right from the start, along with a high fever . Your body aches are also much worse with a fever.
This difference will become clearer to you when you look at the table below.
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Starting speed | Gradually (slowly) | Suddenly (soon) |
| Fever | Rarely (younger children may come more often) | Often has a high fever |
| Body pain | Slightly | Often there is severe pain. |
| Fatigue | Sometimes, a little | Often, it can be 2-3 weeks. |
| Cough and chest discomfort | Mild or moderate cough | Often, it can come in handy. |
| Headache | Rarely | Often |
What are the best times to see a doctor?
If you have a cold or flu, or any of the following serious symptoms , be sure to see a doctor.
- Fever that lasts more than three days: If the fever persists and does not go down, it may be a sign of another bacterial infection.
- Severe pain when swallowing: This is not a typical sore throat, but if it is so painful that you can't swallow, it could be a throat infection (strep throat).
- Persistent cough: If your cough doesn't go away after two to three weeks, it could be a condition like bronchitis or sinusitis. Asthma can also cause a persistent cough.
- Persistent nasal congestion and headache: If you still have a stuffy nose, facial pain around the eyes, and thick, runny nose after about a week, it could be a sinus infection.
Situations requiring emergency medical treatment (ETU)
Sometimes, you need to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) without delay.
For adults:
- Severe chest pain
- Severe headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Confusion (mental disorder)
- Persistent vomiting
For children:
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Bluish discoloration of the skin
- Not drinking fluids
- Not playing as usual and always feeling sleepy
- Feeling very restless or uncomfortable
- Symptoms decrease, then suddenly increase again
- Having a skin rash along with fever
How can you avoid these diseases?
The most important and simplest way to protect yourself from both of these diseases is to wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
Additionally, you can get a flu vaccine to protect yourself from the flu. Within two weeks of getting the vaccine, your body will develop antibodies that will protect you from the flu. Young children who are getting the vaccine for the first time in their lives should receive two doses, one month apart.
Take-Home Message
- Flu is a more serious illness than a cold. It can cause complications such as pneumonia.
- High fever, severe body aches, and sudden onset of illness are common symptoms of the flu.
- The best way to protect yourself from these diseases is to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
- If symptoms do not improve within a week or if they get worse, be sure to see your doctor.
- If you notice any warning signs of an emergency (e.g., difficulty breathing, severe chest pain) in adults or children, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Cold, flu, cold, symptoms, colds, viruses
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