Even though the common cold and the flu may have similar symptoms they are two very different conditions. It is very easy to mistake one from the other. However, the cold is much milder than the flu. Although the common cold is mild, it is the leading cause of doctor’s visits, missed days off from school and work.
The common cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. You can catch a cold from another person (members of your family, friends, co-workers, people you have never meet before in a restaurant or supermarket) or objects such as a keyboard, mouse, doorknob, or eating utensils.
The symptoms of a cold develop slowly, usually two or three days after a person has been infected with a cold virus. Colds, which usually about two weeks, include these symptoms:
- Stuffy, runny, sneezing nose (secretions can be yellow or green)
- Sore throat
- Cough
The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. You can catch the flu during the winter months and early spring. The flu virus attacks both upper and lower respiratory tract.
Flu symptoms might be similar to that of a cold, but with the flu you are more likely to run a high fever for several days. Usually, complications from colds are minor, but with the flu they can become a life-threatening illness, such as pneumonia. Flu symptoms can appear suddenly and can include:
- Fever over 102 degrees
- Stuffy nose
- Nausea
- Chills and sweats
- Extreme fatigue, your body aches
- Cough
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract, but the flu is worse than the cold. The cold can drag you down but with the flu you don’t even want to get out of bed!
Tweet This Post