Winter comes with the unwelcome possibility of sneezing and signs of sickness, but once and for all, how do you know if it’s already the flu or just a really bad case of cold?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that it could be hard to tell the flu from a cold, since both are viral in nature and lead to similar symptoms. The only surefire way to know is to consult a doctor and get a flu test.
Differences In Cold And Flu Symptoms
There are still, however, a couple of differences in symptoms of colds and the flu. Generally, flu symptoms are far more severe.
With colds, one can experience the gradual onset of symptoms, while flu signs can suddenly appear. Symptoms including a stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat too more commonly accompany colds than the flu.
The flu also frequently comes with a fever, body aches and pains, and headaches. People with colds rarely get these, and their aches are typically mild if ever. The flu can also lead to serious complications that include pneumonia or bacterial infection — a rare occurrence with the common cold.
Whether one is sick with a cold or the flu, it’s important to visit the doctor once the symptoms change or become worse. Either illness frequently goes away on its own, but one must take some precautions, such as resting at home, frequent hand washing, and optimum hydration.
“Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others,” advised the health agency.
Certain groups are also at higher risk of serious flu-related complications than the rest of the population, and these include young children, people ages 65 and above, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions.
Updated Vaccine Guidelines
One can also get a seasonal flu vaccine for protection from the flu. The same protective measure, though, is not available for the common cold.
A national advisory panel of the CDC recently released its 2017 advisory for adult flu shots, where this year’s recommendation eliminated nasal flu vaccines and modified advice for people with egg allergy. It also changed its advice regarding vaccines against HPV, hepatitis B, and meningococcal disease.
This means there’s no more nasal flu vaccine, which experts found practically ineffective. Called FluMist, this flu nasal form is made from a weakened flu virus form, unlike traditional shots using dead virus.
For those allergic to egg, regardless if they mild or serious allergy, they can “receive any age-appropriate” flu shot. Previously, individuals with a serious egg allergy case were encouraged to stick to the egg-free variety of the vaccine.
Flu activity keeps increasing in the United States today, with children bearing the brunt of what looks like a strong flu season. Fifteen children have died so far from the flu, with the season expected to peak in February until spring.
