How To Distinguish Between Cold and Flu

It is very necessary to know the difference between cold and flu so that proper medication to treat the particular ailment can be taken. Most of the germs that cause these ailments are transmitted either by air or by touch. To seek proper help, it is essential to know which ailment you are suffering from.

Cold

There are a number of viruses that can cause cold. Rhinovirus, which means nose virus, is the most common cold virus. When one catches cold, it results in nasal secretions, coughing and it is spread by inhaling the virus or by touching the affected area. Once it is caught, the symptoms of cold last from 1-5 days, accompanied by runny nose, scratchy throat and nasal secretions. The common cold is centered in the nose.

Flu (Influenza)

Flu is a much more serious illness than cold. A single virus called the influenza virus causes the flu. It begins abruptly with fever in the 102 to 106 degree range, body aches and lack of energy. It may also be accompanied by dizziness or vomiting. Within 2 to 4 days the symptoms may start to settle, leaving symptoms of cold in the respiratory tract. With flu one is sick all over.

Difference Between Cold and Flu

• The virus of cold is transmitted through touch, while the flu virus is transmitted through air.
• Cold results from contact with individuals or objects where as flu can attack while being in the same room with germs.
• Cold starts slowly after the infection has set in after 2-3 days, while flu attacks at once.
• In cold one may experience a yellow or green nasal discharge, congestion or light fever, in flu; however, one feels extreme fatigue and high fever with pain in the body.
• The symptoms of cold last from 2 days to a week while flu may last depending upon the virus and settle in like nasal congestion.

It is very important to know which ailment one is suffering from, without proper knowledge it is impossible to get the right treatment. Cold can be distinguished by the way one is struck by it. If it starts with high fever with body ache, then it is indicative of flu as cold starts first with coughing and sneezing. It is only after the fever recedes that sore throat and congestion take place when one suffers from flu.

Being very similar in symptoms and having same effects it sometimes becomes difficult to recognize the symptoms and differentiate whether one is suffering from cold or flu, but with proper reading of symptoms and diagnosis, distinction can be made between flu and cold.