Cold versus Flu

Flu season is here! Do you know how to distinguish flu symptoms from common cold symptoms? Here are some good ways to prevent the flu.

Recently, newspapers and television news have been reporting on the flu, a common winter illness. So what are the differences between the flu and the common cold? And how can we prevent and treat the flu?

Table of Contents

What are the differences between the flu and the common cold?

What is the flu?

Why do people get the flu? Which groups should be especially careful?

How to treat the flu?

Dietary recommendations during the flu

How to prevent the flu?

What are the differences between the flu and the common cold?

"Do I have a cold or the flu?" This is a common question.

Because colds and the flu have many similar symptoms, it's not easy to distinguish them directly from the patient's symptoms. However, the biggest difference between the flu and the common cold is that flu symptoms usually appear suddenly, and most patients will experience high fever, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.

What is the Flu? Influenza, commonly known as the flu, caused by the influenza virus. The most common symptoms of the flu are high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, cough, and fatigue.

Patients usually develop symptoms two days after exposure to the virus, and most symptoms resolve within one to two weeks, but cough symptoms may persist for more than two weeks. Possible complications of the flu include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and exacerbation of other conditions (such as asthma or heart failure).

There are three main types of influenza:

Type A Influenza: Causes the most severe symptoms, has high antigenic variability, and may undergo significant mutations to produce new viral strains, easily causing global pandemics. Symptoms are more intense.

Influenza B: Causes milder symptoms than influenza A, with more stable antigenic variability, and mainly spreads in regional areas. Diarrhea and muscle aches are more pronounced.

Influenza C: Symptoms are even milder, or even asymptomatic, and less likely to develop into influenza.

The common cold can be caused by hundreds of different viruses, while influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Influenza typically presents with very pronounced symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Influenza symptoms tend to appear suddenly, and full recovery from influenza takes longer than from a common cold, typically 1-2 weeks or even more. If left untreated, influenza can lead to various complications and even death.

Once infected with influenza, one inevitably experiences several days of painful illness and may even face the risk of severe influenza. Therefore, influenza prevention and treatment are particularly important.

The reason why the influenza virus continues to pose a threat to humans is mainly because this virus can mutate, making comprehensive prevention difficult. Even people who have previously had the flu may not be immune to new variants of the influenza virus and can be reinfected. When most people lack immunity, a nationwide pandemic can occur.

Some patients may self-diagnose their symptoms or take antibiotics, but antibiotics are not helpful in treating the flu because the main cause is the virus. Therefore, if you experience flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.

The main route of transmission for the flu is through droplets: coughing and sneezing are ways to spread the virus, which usually enters the body through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes.

It is important to note that the flu can infect anyone, but school-aged children are most susceptible, followed by the elderly. However, serious complications leading to death are more common in the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, or infants.

During flu season, especially for young children, serious complications are more likely to occur, causing great anxiety for parents. Children sometimes experience different symptoms than adults when infected with the flu.

For example, newborns and infants are prone to high fevers exceeding 39.5°C, while young children often experience vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, and ear pain. Many children also experience muscle aches in certain areas that prevent them from moving.

Therefore, parents can make an initial assessment based on these symptoms. If there is any suspicion that a child has the flu, they should seek medical attention immediately. Never take it lightly or give your child medication without consulting a doctor.

How should the flu be treated? When flu-related symptoms first appear, you should first take your child's temperature and immediately go to the nearest clinic or hospital that offers rapid testing.

• Flu Treatment Method 1: Seek Medical Attention

The fastest and most essential treatment is to seek professional medical help and obtain flu-related medications. Commonly used medications include oseltamivir and zanamivir.

• Flu Treatment Method 2: Get Plenty of Rest

Rest allows the body time to repair itself, and it's crucial to minimize the risk of further infection from other germs.

• Flu Treatment Method 3: Stay Hydrated

Because fever is a common symptom of the flu, drinking plenty of water can prevent dehydration and help reduce the fever associated with antipyretics.

Dietary Intake During the Flu

Eat Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and other berries are excellent sources of antioxidants. Blueberries, in particular, are considered top-ranked for their antioxidant effects. Eating a serving of blueberries daily can not only alleviate cold symptoms but is also beneficial for skin health.

Consume fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C.

e.g., bell peppers, kiwis, and broccoli are rich in Vitamin C. Studies show that a lack of Vitamin C can weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness. Supplementing with Vitamin C can help prevent respiratory infections or alleviate symptoms.

Drink chicken soup. Chicken soup contains components that boost the body's immune system. Medical centers in the United States have confirmed that chicken soup is very effective in preventing and treating colds and flu, and hot chicken soup can also help relieve nasal congestion.

Eat garlic. Garlic contains the active ingredient allicin, which can fight infection and bacteria.

How to prevent the flu?

• Flu prevention method 1: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands frequently.

• Flu prevention method 2: Wear a mask when going out.

• Flu prevention method 3: Do not share utensils with others.

• Flu prevention method 4: Try to avoid crowded places.

• Flu prevention method 5: Get a flu vaccine.

• Flu Prevention Tip 6: Exercise more to boost metabolism and increase immunity.

• Flu Prevention Tip 7: Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.

We hope everyone takes preventative measures, exercises regularly, drinks plenty of water, and wears a mask when going out to protect themselves and others. The most important thing when you get home is to wash your hands. During this flu season, we hope everyone stays healthy and doesn't get sick from the flu.

These foods actually help you avoid catching a cold! Winter is coming; doctors teach you how to eat to boost your immunity!

Common Cold (also known as Acute Nasopharyngitis): Common viruses causing colds include rhinovirus, respiratory viruses, and adenovirus. Symptoms typically include mild fever, sore throat, cough, and runny nose. The illness usually subsides in about 3 days. If symptoms are not particularly severe, drinking plenty of fluids and resting at home is usually sufficient. Most colds resolve on their own, regardless of medication, and complications are rare. However, if symptoms are severe and do not improve after several days, medical attention should be sought.