The question “is it a cold or is it the flu,” may not matter all that much to you if you’re feeling particularly miserable. But it is an important question to answer. Here’s some pointer’s that will help you do just that.
A cold is in almost every case a milder illness then the flu. Colds generally last no more than a few days. It’s quite common to start feeling better two days. a flu can profoundly affect your health for days extending into weeks. Unfortunately, the flu can bring on health problems that can prove to be extremely serious or even fatal.
Common cold symptoms
Common cold symptoms are plentiful and mild as a rule. The classic runny nose, nasal congestion and cough are symptoms. It’s not unheard of for a fever to accompany a cold especially in children.
Nasal congestion typically starts out rather watery and as the cold germs are defeated becomes thicker, possibly yellow or darker. These latter symptoms are generally welcomed by cold sufferers as a sign that they’re cold is on its way out.
Symptoms that accompany a cold tend to make one contagious to others for the first three days after they appear. Resting at home in bed is probably the best thing for you to do for yourself and for others.
Cold symptoms that linger for a week or longer may indicate a bacterial or sinus infection. Only then should you consider treating your symptoms with antibiotics. And those antibiotics would need to be prescribed by your doctor.
Flu symptoms
One thing that distinguishes flu symptoms from cold symptoms is that the gradual buildup that can be characteristic of colds contrasts markedly with the sudden onset of flu symptoms. Similar symptoms include a sore throat, headache, congestion and coughing. Symptoms that can further distinguish the flu from a cold include a fever, and in the case of H1N1, the swine flu, diarrhea and vomiting.
The flu can run its course in less than a week. However, it’s not unusual for its effects to linger for another two weeks. Pneumonia can set in and contribute to heart or lung problems. Shortness of breath while you are more symptomatic with the flu is a serious complication that should be addressed immediately, particularly if you suspect you have the swine flu .Pneumonia can occur in all cases of the flu as something called a rebound symptom. These are symptoms that come back after abating for a time.
How else can I know that I have the flu?
Although cold and flu symptoms are similar, it is exceptionally rare for a cold to generate a fever over 101°F. This kind of fever can last for three or four days and occasionally run even higher in children and adolescents.
If you have any of the following symptoms you should contact emergency medical assistance at your earliest opportunity.
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Confusion or memory loss
• Acute chest pain
• Acute headache pain
• Excessive vomiting
• Shortness of breath
Children’s symptoms that should prompt a similar emergency response include:
• A bluish skin color
• Labored or rapid breathing
• Signs of your ability or stress that persist beyond normal
• A fever accompanied by a rash
• Refusing to drink fluids
• Pronounced listlessness
• Any of these symptoms that suddenly take a turn for the worse