by Sarah Millman

Created on: September 24, 2011

When the cooler months approach, the dreaded colds and flu start to become much more prevalent. No one wants a cold or the flu, as both can make you feel quite unwell and make it hard for you to carry on with your normal day to day activities. But how can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu? Read on.

The symptoms of a cold and the flu can be very similar. Symptoms of the

common cold can include the following:

1) Sore throat

2) Runny or blocked nose

3) Sneezing

4) Feeling of being blocked in the ears

5) Headache

6) Cough

7) Mild fever (more common in children)

When you have a cold, generally the symptoms will come on gradually over two to three days after becoming infected with the virus. You will most likely feel lethargic, particularly if you are still going about your normal daily activities, as your body is trying hard to fight off the infection.

Colds can last from a two days to two weeks, and time to recovery depends on your body’s immune system and what measures you take to try and speed up your recovery. Taking some time off to get some rest and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated are good ways to try to help speed up your recovery. You can visit your pharmacy to get some medication to help treat the symptoms you are experiencing. Antibiotics are not needed for a cold, as colds are caused by a virus, not bacteria. If you are still unwell after two weeks or start coughing up green coloured mucous, it may be necessary to see your doctor as a bacterial infection may have developed due to the cold weakening your immune system.

The symptoms of the flu are similar to that of the common cold, but the following additional symptoms may be present:

1) High fever (above 38C/100F)

2) Body chills and sweats

3) More intense headache and severe body aches

4) More severe cough

5) Vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children)

The symptoms of the flu often come on quite suddenly, rather than over a few days like a cold. It is unlikely that you will be able to carry on doing your daily activities if you have the flu, as your body will simply not have the energy to do anything other than try and fight of the infection.

If you think you have the flu, prescription antiviral treatment is available, but it works best if given within the first 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. It won’t cure you, but it may reduce the duration of the illness and reduce the likelihood of developing any complications. Other treatments for the flu are the same as that for the common cold. Drinking water, getting rest and buying medications from the pharmacy to help manage your symptoms can all help. The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get the seasonal flu shot each year before the cooler months hit.

To find out more about colds and flu, visit Web MD.

General Note:

This article is of a general nature and in no way should be seen as a substitute for your own doctor’s or health professional’s advice. The author accepts no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting on or refraining from action as a result of the published information. Before commencing any health treatment, always consult your doctor.

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