A Common Cold Or The Dreaded Flu?

Oh, boy... You've got that feeling again. That, "I think I`m getting sick" feeling... Your throat is a little sore, your body is slightly achy, your nose feels a bit stuffed up. 

But are you coming down with a cold ...or is it the flu? How can you tell?  And how should you treat one versus the other?

First the similarities:

Both a cold and the flu are caused by respiratory viruses that enter your body through your mucous membranes - such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Both can bring on a host of symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, and sore throat, as your body fights to rid itself of the infection.  In general, either virus can make you feel awful, and both can be easily passed from person-to-person through something as simple as a sneeze or a dirty doorknob.

Now the differences:

The common cold: A cough, stuffy nose, and sore throat are all hallmarks of the common cold.  Occasionally so are mild body aches, a low-grade fever, headache, and chest congestion. In general, if it causes a fever, it`s a mild one of about 100 degrees or lower, and the general body discomfort is mild-to-moderate.  Most people with a cold tend to be their most symptomatic and contagious during the first few days of the onset of a cold, with gradual improvements from then on.  If symptoms persist longer, there is the possibility that you`re dealing with a subsequent bacterial infection or sinus infection.

The flu: Flu symptoms often resemble cold symptoms - cough, stuffy/runny nose, sneezing and mild achiness.  The main difference is the flu tends to have a more rapid onset than the common cold, the symptoms tend to be more severe, and the flu usually leaves its sufferers with extreme tiredness or exhaustion. What`s more, though a mild fever occasionally accompanies a cold, the flu almost always produces a fever of 100-102 degrees or higher, which can last for several days. And lastly, the flu can develop into something much more serious - pneumonia - which can knock you down for weeks and be life threatening. It`s estimated that several thousand Americans die from the flu and its complications each year.

Treatment: There`s an old adage, "Treat a cold and it lasts about seven days; ignore it, and it lasts about a week." Despite the snark, there are a few things that will perhaps help you get through a cold or flu more easily and may even shorten the symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids - preferably water.  Fluids help regulate your body temperature and thin your mucus, making it easier to breathe and clear your lungs.
• Get plenty of rest, especially if you have the flu.  Your body fights infections much better if it`s not run down.
• If you`re in the early stages of the flu, some studies suggest that antiviral medications can help shorten its duration. Ask your health care professional about an antiviral prescription, like Tamiflu.
• For a cold, the jury is still out if you`re trying to make it "go away" sooner. There are some people who swear by doses of Vitamin C, Echinacea, and/or zinc supplements as a way to shorten their cold. Several studies, however, have shown that the results have been mixed at best.

Bottom line: The best defense against the common cold or flu is prevention! And something as easy as washing your hands often can be a major step in keeping you healthy. Getting plenty of sleep and exercising moderately can also help your immune system stay sharp. Lastly, get your seasonal flu immunization if at all possible - it`s not a guarantee, but it can dramatically reduce your chances of spending a week or more in misery.