Distinguishing a Cold From the Flu

Many people tend to confuse the common colds with the flu, and vice versa. But these conditions, though quite similar, are in fact two different respiratory tract illnesses.

Both the common colds and the flu can be caused by viruses, and can manifest similar symptoms at the onset, but as your condition progresses, it will become clearer whether you are suffering from a cold or the flu.

Although it is important that you get proper diagnosis for your condition by seeking medical consultation, distinguishing a common cold from the flu can relatively be easy if you know the similarities and differences between these two diseases.

A common cold and the flu differ from each other in terms of the following:

Symptoms

People suffering from a common cold or the flu generally manifest similar symptoms that identifying the condition sometimes become quite challenging. However, the severity or incidence rates of these symptoms mostly reveal whether they are due to colds or flu.

Fever

• Colds – seldom; not so high
• Flu – very common; usually high (100-102˚F, sometimes higher); lasts 3 to 4 days

Headache

• Colds – rarely present
• Flu – usually occurs

Weakness or fatigue

• Colds – sometimes
• Flu – usual; can even stay up to 2 to 3 weeks

Exhaustion

• Colds – never
• Flu – common; mostly observed at the onset of illness

General body aches, joint and muscle pains

• Colds – slight
• Flu – very common; often quite severe

Sneezing

• Colds – usual
• Flu – rare

Sore throat

• Colds – usual
• Flu – sometimes

Stuffy nose

• Colds – usual
• Flu – sometimes

Chest pain/discomfort, cough

• Colds – hacking cough; mild to moderate
• Flu – usual; can increase in severity

Causes

A cold is usually caused by viruses present in the environment. Once these viruses found their way into your nasal passages, inflammation occurs. In allergic rhinitis though, the causative agent is generally not a virus, but an allergenic substance. A person with this condition has a hypersensitive immune reaction to allergy-causing substances such as pollen, dust mites, and chemicals, leading to sneezing and nasal inflammation.

Otherwise known as grippe or influenza, flu, on the other hand, is caused by a virus, thus, it is always considered an infectious disease.

Treatment

Symptomatic treatment, or supportive care, is the general rule of thumb when treating both colds and the flu. This simply means that administration of treatment is based on the symptoms being manifested by the patient.