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Is
it a cold? Or is it the flu?
The flu is like a cold in many ways – most basically, they’re
both respiratory infections caused by viruses. If a cold is misdiagnosed
as flu, there’s no problem. At worst, a cold can occasionally lead
to secondary bacterial infections of the middle ear or sinuses, which
can be treated with antibiotics. But if the flu is misdiagnosed as a bad
cold, potentially life-threatening flu complications like pneumonia may
be overlooked.
Some of the symptoms of a cold and flu are similar, but the two diseases
can usually be distinguished.
| SYMPTOMS |
COLD |
FLU
|
| Fever |
Rare |
Characteristic; High (102-104 Degrees), lasts 3-4 days |
| Nausea, Vomiting and/or Diarrhea |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
| Headache |
Rare |
Prominent |
| General Aches, Pains |
Slight |
Usual; often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness |
Mild |
Can last up to 2 weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion |
Never |
Early in illness;
prominent |
| Stuffy Nose, Congestion |
Common in early stages of illness |
Sometimes |
| Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
| Sore Throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Cough, Chest Discomfort |
Mild to moderate; Hacking cough |
Common; can become severe |
| Symptoms Develop |
Gradually |
Quickly |
| Complications |
Sinus congestion, earache, laryngitis |
Pneumonia, bronchitis; can be life-threatening |
| Prevention |
None |
Annual vaccination (flu shot) – see your doctor |
| Treatment |
Only temporary relief of symptoms |
Antiviral medicines – see your doctor |
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