Is it a cold or the flu? Here are the facts

At first glance, the cold and flu may seem similar – they even appear to have the same symptoms. But, take a closer look and see that these viruses are quite different. The way they are contracted, prevented and treated are unique from one another. For this reason, it’s important to understand whether a person is sick with the cold or flu so the best care can be provided.

A cold is a virus that lives in the nose, whereas the flu is a virus that lives in the respiratory tract such as the throat, nose and lungs. Cold symptoms are mild and may include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches and fever. Flu symptoms are generally the same as those associated with the cold, only worse. A person with the flu will often have a rapid onset of various symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache, muscle aches, chills, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, vomiting and fatigue.

Colds are primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. So, if a person has a cold and touches his nose, he can then give the illness to another person simply by shaking hands. Trace amounts of virus live in the mouth with the common cold, so the likelihood of transmitting the germs through oral contact is low. Therefore, sharing utensils or cups is unlikely to transmit a cold.

The flu, on the other hand, spreads in the air. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, it sends the virus into the air and can expose others nearby.

To prevent colds, teach kids, and adults, not to touch their face and to wash their hands frequently. This can help them stay healthy. To prevent the flu, teach kids, and adults, to cover their mouths when they cough, sneeze directly into a tissue and wash hands frequently. Some people may also want to consider getting a flu shot before flu season begins, especially for those in a high-risk group like children and the elderly.

There is no cure for the cold but there are some things people can do to treat the symptoms. Soothing tissues, plenty of fluids, a cool mist humidifier and extra rest may help make a sick person feel better. An over-the-counter fever reducer such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also be administered.

People sick with the flu should stay home from school or work, particularly if they are coughing or sneezing, to keep the contagious illness from spreading to others. There are also medications to treat the flu that a doctor may prescribe to alleviate discomfort.

*Information courtesy of Puffs Tissue.