Talk with your doctor before giving any medicine to children. They are indeed both respiratory illnesses and can cause similar symptoms. And other illnesses, like strep throat or pneumonia, can seem like the flu. While both are respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses, the cdc says. The difference is how intense they feel and how common they are. The flu is a common contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. By knowing the various symptoms and home treatment solutions, you can avoid unnecessary visits to the doctor. Up to 20% of americans get the flu every year, and americans suffer one billion colds. A highgrade fever of 102 to 104 degrees f probably signals the flu. That is why you need to get the immunization updated every year. It s important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms.
Cold and flu shares practical and effective ways to prevent colds and flu this year. Fast onset of symptoms especially fever and chills fever and chills. The respiratory tract includes the throat, nose, airways and lungs. Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. The flu typically has a rapid onset within 36 hours.
Tips for cold and flu when to keep your child home fever if your childs temperature is 37. On average, american adults will have two to four colds per year, and children will get between six and 10. Know the difference between a cold and the flu not every infectious disease, such as a cold or the flu, can be treated by your health care provider. If body aches are also accompanied by sore joints and muscles, howeveror if your body temperature fluctuates from hot to cold and you have a high fever, then you may have the flu. When a person infected with flu coughs or sneezes, the flu virus can travel up to 6 feet away. This caplet provides temporary relief of minor aches and pains, fever, headache, sore throat, nasal and chest congestion, and cough. The following activities will help your students learn how to protect themselves from both the common cold and the flu. How to recognize the difference between a cold and the flu. Do not save any antibiotics for the next time you get sick. Overthecounter medicines cant cure a cold or the flu, but they can relieve some of your symptoms.
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses. This year is different because h3n2 is the main strain of flu and has a higher intensity of symptoms, more frequent hospitalizations and deaths. Use this chart to see if your symptoms are more like a cold or the flu. In the northern hemisphere, flu season typically starts in october and lasts into midmarch. Department of veterans affairs author department of veterans affairs, veterans health administration, office of public health \b\, infection dont pass it on campaign. This table can help determine if you have cold or flu symptoms.
The common cold produces mild symptoms usually lasting only 510 days. When you have the flu, these symptoms typically appear only after the fever has run its course, after two to four days. Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Remember, were still in the midst of cold and flu season. Practice smart habits that help you avoid getting sick in the first place, too. Track the flu visit to track the flu by zip code and to download the fight the flu iphone app. Department of veterans affairs author department of veterans affairs, veterans health administration, office of public. Flu viruses are far more capable of causing more harm to the patient than cold viruses. Take an antibiotic exactly as the doctor tells you. Your doctor can help you figure out what youre dealing with and point you to the right treatment. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems. Colds and flu are both highly contagious and, in the initial stages, a bad cold and a mild case of the flu might seem alike. The common cold and influenza the flu are viral infections of the respiratory tract.
An illness that seems like a cold can turn out to be the flu. Coronavirus shares some of the same symptoms caused by the flu and colds, including fever and cough. The flu shot is made based on last years most prevalent strains. Pdf the common cold is a viral infection that requires symptomatic treatment. The surveys are sponsored and conducted by the national center for immunization and respiratory diseases ncird of the centers. Download this infographic in pdf format to print it. The drugs work best if theyre used early in the illness.
People with a cold may have a runny or stuffy nose, mild fever, body aches and dry cough. Unlike the more gradual progression of cold symptoms, you will experience a fast onset of symptomslike fever and chillsin the early stages of the flu. The common cold is a viral infection that affects your upper respiratory tract nose and throat. Stay hydrated, get lots of rest, and try appropriate overthecounter or home remedies. Last flu season claimed the lives of 80,000 people of all ages around the country. Colds tend to begin with one or two symptomsmost often a sore throatthen gradual onset of nasal congestion and cough, says matt nimer, a physician assistant specializing in family medicine at university of utah health. Colds and the flu information mount sinai new york. Influenza and the common cold share a lot of the same symptoms. The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverishchills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue tiredness. Symptoms the symptoms and their severity can vary with age and health status. Complete the prescribed course of treatment, even if you are feeling better. Cold symptoms flu fever headache general aches, pains fatigue, weakness extreme exhaustion stuffy nose sneezing sore throat chest discomfort, cough complications prevention treatment rare rare slight quite mild never common usual common mild to moderate, hacking cough sinus congestion or earache respiratory hygiene over. Some medicines are harmful to young children and infants.
People often confuse the common cold and the flu because many of the symptoms overlap and can be eased by overthecounter remedies to help you figure it out, heres a snapshot of what each. How to tell a cold from the flu, in 2 great charts guess which one makes you feel like youve been hit by a truck. Pick up the phone any time youre not sure whats wrong with you, or you just feel awful. Know what to look for and how to help prevent the flu. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flurelated visits to the doctor each year. Grades 3 to 5 health problems series colds and flu. Take an overthecounter otc remedyotc cold and flu remedies can help relieve symptoms, but do nothing to cure the condition or speed its course. Heres what you need to know to determine which illness you. This infographic helps you compare cold and flu symptoms, debunk the most common myths. Cold or flu know the difference the flu and a cold can have similar symptoms.
The common cold and flu share many symptoms, and it can be difficult or sometimes impossible to tell the difference based on symptoms alone. Symptoms cold flu fever rare characteristic, high 102104f. Nis about the national immunization surveys vaccines cdc. Sooner or later, it seems like everybody catches a cold or flu during the school year. And the flu, especially in children and older people, is more likely to lead to serious health problems such as pneumonia and a hospital stay. Pdf overview and management of colds and flu researchgate. With flu symptoms, you will probably have a fever initially with the flu virus and you will feel miserable.
April 2001 from the national institute of allergy and infectious diseases. Signs and symptoms flu cold fever usually present 100 degrees or greater rare aches usual, often severe slight. The common cold is produced by a virus just as influenza, says dr. Here are some of the differences between a cold and the flu. Youll also be able to identify conditions that need medical attention. The symptoms of the flu run pretty much along the same lines as the cold, although they may be more acute and materialise rapidly. When you have the flu, you can go to work as soon as your fever goes away. If your symptoms get worse or persist, see your healthcare provider. Rarely, symptoms may not be enough for your doctor to know if its a cold or the flu. So drink plenty of liquids like water, herbal tea, ginger ale, and soup. But if you have the flu, there are things you can do. Occasionally, the common cold or influenza can be complicated by a bacterial infection such as an ear. Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold, a cough or the flu.
The following activities will help your students protect themselves from. Influenza rare rare fever headache usual high fever. The main symptoms of a cold are often congestionrelated, such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. Youll discover steps that can greatly lower your risk and advances that can dramatically ease aches and misery. Is it a cold or the flu handout 2 university of new. Getting a flu shot or the nasal spray every year is the best way to protect yourself from getting seasonal flu. Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by several flu viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The flu can be about the same length, but in some people, the effects of the flu can last weeks, according to the cdc.
National institute of allergy and infectious diseases. Dont take antibioticsfor a cold or the flu unless theres solid medical evidence that you have a secondary bacterial infection. In general, the flu comes on suddenly and symptoms are more severe, especially body aches. Besides getting a flu shot, it can also be helpful to know the difference between the flu and the common cold. The flu is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus that affects your entire respiratory systemnose, throat. Differences between a cold and the flu gouvernement du. Some of the physicians featured are in private practice and, as independent practitioners, are not agents or employees of rush university medical center or rush oak park hospital. Cold and influenza what is the common cold and the influenza. To find out more about flu and colds, visit the national institute of allergy and infectious diseases web site. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Flu symptoms, on the other hand, include fever, body aches, and fatigue. All physicians featured on this website are on the medical faculty of rush university medical center or rush oak park hospital. Colds and flu are more likely to be transmitted in winter because people spend more time indoors and are exposed to higher concentrations of airborne viruses. The difference is that flu is potentially much more serious. The good news is that both cold and flu are considered selflimiting viruses, meaning if your immune system is healthy, it will eventually win the war. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. Usually, cold symptoms are milder in comparison to the flu and the flu tends to last longer.
Influenza is often referred to as the flu find, read and. Symptoms of flu include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough. Nasal mucus from the flu also tends to be clear and watery, not thick. In contrast, the flu, which is caused by a different class of virus, can have severe symptoms. How to tell whether its a cold or the flu consumer reports. The common cold is the most frequent illness in the united states, and it is also the most common reason for doctors visits. But the flu can be more severe, especially among children, older people and people with. People infected with the seasonal flu virus feel miserable with fever, chills, muscle aches, coughing, congestion, headache and fatigue for a week or so. A headache is very common with the flu, present in. See the complete a z list of all the cold and flu related information or browse the current list of select resources. Headache a headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. Visit here to learn more about influenza and what you can do to ease symptoms.
Symptoms that the common cold and flu share may include body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, sneezing, and fever. With a cold or the flu, fluids help break up congestion and thin mucus. Its generally not considered serious, and most people recover within a week or two. Theres a quickie test you can get at your doctors office to see if you have the flu. A cold and the flu influenza are two different illnesses. Also, a fever is much more common among flu patients. Frequenting places where a lot of people come in close contact with one anothersuch as train stations, schools, or nursing facilitiesincreases your chances of coming in contact with cold or flu viruses, especially during the wintertime. Learn more about the different types of colds and flu viruses and the medicines that might help relieve.
Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly. Sudden symptoms cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. A cold and the flu are respiratory tract infections that are often confused. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need 2 doses during a single flu season. You also can get infected by touching a surface or object that has viruses on it.
However, unlike a cold, the flu is a serious illness that can have lifethreatening complications. A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. Get a flu shot at the beginning of each season, wash your hands regularly, and steer clear of other people who have. While at home, encourage drinking plenty of liquids. A 14, 15 dextromethorphan delsym is a treatment option for adults with cough caused by the common cold. Its important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms. Learn more about cold and flu from self, a wellness site dedicated to giving you accurate and genuinely helpful information on topics related to your health. The flu ranks a close second, and can result in a week of missed class time. Your child should be feverfree for 24 hours without medicine before. The national immunization surveys nis are a group of phone surveys used to monitor vaccination coverage among children 1935 months and teens 17 years, and flu vaccinations for children 6 months17 years. If you think youve caught the flu, you may want to check with your health care provider to see whether antiviral medicine is appropriate for you. Flu and cold viruses spread mainly by droplets, when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. Conversely, cold symptoms tend to appear more gradually, over several hours or days, just like the common cold, influenza is caused by a virus, of which there are many strains.
Cold symptoms flu rare fever characteristic, high 101104f. The lu short for inluenza is more serious and may make you feel bad all over. Influenza or the flu, as its better known is another upper respiratory illness. In general, symptoms of the flu appear quickly, while symptoms of a cold happen slowly. Antibiotics are not recommended for treatment of the common cold in children or adults.
The flu is usually accompanied by higher fever 102 degrees. Even doctors sometimes need to do a test to know for sure if a child has the flu or a cold. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can. What system in your body is responsible for fighting off a cold or flu.
A cold and the flu are both caused by viruses, but these viruses are different. Unlike a cold, which can hit at any time of year, the flu is generally seasonal. Colds and the flu tend to occur more often in the winter. Both colds and the flu come from respiratory tract infections in your nose, sinuses and throat. However, different viruses cause these two conditions, and. Cold and flu how to tell if you have a feversans thermometer a thermometer is the only foolproof way to confirm a fever, but these other tricks can help, experts say. Colds are more common and less intense than the flu. Nov 04, 2016 the common cold and the flu may seem very similar at first. Oct 11, 2016 it s that time of year where we wash our hands like crazy to prevent getting a cold or the flu, but sometimes, the inevitable happens. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu related visits to the doctor each year. Other symptoms of the flu include feelings of weakness or fatigue, all of which can last up to weeks. Department of veterans affairs, veterans health administration, office of public health \b\, infection dont pass it on campaign. People with the influenza virus are likely contagious from the day or so.
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