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Colds and Flu - Do You Know the
Difference? - by Barbara C. Phillips
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It's winter in the Northern
Hemisphere, and that means it's cold and flu season. Though
it's an annual occurrence, many people are confused as to
exactly which is the cold and which is the flu.
The common cold (and boy is it common) develops gradually over
several days and can start with a scratchy throat, sneezing
and sniffles leading to congestions. Any fever present is mild
(in adults). |
Coughing is generally hacking and can be moist due to
congestion. On the other hand, influenza often starts
rather suddenly with fever (usually greater than 101 degrees F
and last 3-4 days), headache and all over body aches (myalgia).
Generally one feels exhausted or fatigued. Coughing is usually
dry and hacking and can last after all other flu symptoms have
passed.
Influenza or "the flu" is more of a systemic illness, meaning
it affects your entire body, where as a cold generally just
affects the upper body. You can sometimes get a stuffy nose,
sneezing and sore throat with the flu, but it’s much more
common with colds. The flu is more serious because it can lead
to other problems, like pneumonia in susceptible adults.
Another common illness that is often referred to as "the flu"
is your common variety gastroenteritis ... meaning that you
stomach and intestines are acting up. This is NOT influenza.
In general, viral illnesses will run their course and one does
not need to be seen in their clinics. It’s a different story
if you have a depressed immune system, a chronic lung
condition (such as emphysema or COPD) or if you have been ill
for over 10 days. Of course, any time you are having difficult
breathing, you need to see your health care provider as soon
as you can.
The best bet is to keep yourself healthy and avoid colds and
the flu in the first place.
©2006 Barbara C. Phillips, NP - For more health care
information, you can visit Healthy Aging for Women at http://www.HealthyAgingForWomen.com
In addition to timely health care topics, women can get more
information about successful aging at http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com
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