Difference between a Cold and the Flu
The common cold in itself can be a concern, what with the interruptions and discomfort that the coughs and sniffles can bring. However, another cause of worry is the possibility that what you have is not a cold, but a flu. How can we distinguish between a flu and cold? Here are some insights.
The common cold, or commonly referred to as the cold, is an infectious disease affecting the upper respiratory tract. Its cause is a virus. Symptoms of a cold include a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headaches, body aches, tiredness, sneezing, and occasionally a fever. Colds typically show about 2-3 days after acquiring the virus, and are contagious. A typical cold can disappear in less than a week, but can also stay for as long as three weeks in some cases. Those with full flu symptoms may suffer from a dry, hacking cough, shaking chills, severe aches, nausea, and vomiting. A cold can occur to anyone in almost any time of the year, but is more common during the colder seasons. Cold symptoms are generally weaker or less serious than that of flu.
Influenza or flu is also caused by a virus and affects the upper respiratory tract. Unlike the cold, the flu is a generally seasonal sickness, often arising from fall till to spring but more prevalent in winter. Flu is caused by influenza viruses and active strains tend to appear every year. Vaccines have been developed over time to counteract or prevent influenza. The symptoms of a flu are similar to that of a cold. However, while cold symptoms appear gradually, those of influenza come abruptly and tend to be more severe. Fevers are more common in flu, and the sickness has the risk of progressing to more serious ailments like pneumonia. It is also riskier for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with a weak immune system.
It is difficult to distinguish between a flu and cold with just taking note of their symptoms, and this, tests can be made on the early onset of the sickness to identify it. Another thing to note is that those who suffer colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, and that their symptoms are less severe.
| Flu | Cold | |
|---|---|---|
| Complete terminology | Influenza | Common cold |
| Cause | Type A, Type B, or Type C influenza virus | Different strains of virus like rhinovirus |
| Part of the body affected | Upper respiratory tract | Upper respiratory tract |
| Onset of symptoms | Sudden | Gradual |
| Duration | Around a week | 1-3 weeks |
| Fever | Usual,with possibility of high fever | Rare, usually low to moderate |
| Fatigue | Usual | Occasional |
| Aches | Usual | Occurs, but only slightly |
| Stuffy or runny nose | Not as likely as a colde | Common |
| Sneezing | Not as likely as a cold | Common |
| Chills | Common | May happen, but not common |
| Sore/painful throat | Sometimes | Common |
| Coughing | Common | Common, but usually mild or moderate |
| Headaches | Common | Not as likely as flu |
| Risky to | Children less than six years old, people with weak immune systems, elderly people, pregnant women. | Children less than six years old, people with weak immune systems. |
| Possible complications | Pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, heart and lung conditions, chronic health conditions, sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, stroke, and many others. | Sinusitis, pneumonia, otitis media |
| Treatment | Antiviral drugs | Symptomatic therapy, zinc, prescribed medication against colds |
| Prevention | Getting a flu shot, disciplined hygiene, minimizing contact with those infected, good sleep and dietary habits, exercise, stress management | Disciplined hygiene, minimizing contact with those infected, avoiding sharing personal items with infected individuals |
Venn Diagram
