Do Not Mistake the Flu for the Common Cold?

Answer 1

Everyone is susceptible to the seasonal flu; it seems that once someone catches the flu it is only a matter of time before your symptoms start. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid touching door knobs and breathing the same air that all the flu sufferers are breathing. Once you have the flu, there is nothing you can do to rid yourself of the illness. Over the counter medications that your doctor may recommend will not rid you of the flu, the medications will merely alleviate your pain temporarily. The only thing you can do is learn to recognize the symptoms of the flu and take action when you notice the onset of any flu symptoms.

One of the major flu symptoms is fever; though not everyone that suffers from the flu experiences a fever. Some do and some do not. Along with fever or without if you are one of the lucky ones that do not experience this comes chills, severe body aches and fatigue. When experienced together, these symptoms are often difficult to tell apart. You may not be able to differentiate between body aches and fatigue because you are too tired and weak.

Much like the common cold, flu symptoms include coughing, sore throat and congestion. This may make you question whether or not you have the flu or a simple cold. The way to tell the difference is to check for other symptoms, such as fatigue and body aches. In addition, many younger flu sufferers have been known to experience diarrhea and severe vomiting. However, these symptoms are more common in children than in adults.

The major difference between the flu and the common cold is the severity of the illness. The common cold begins slowly, with a cough here and a sore throat there. Flu symptoms appear suddenly and violently and are much more miserable than those of the common cold. When you experience any of the symptoms of the flu, you can call your doctor and schedule an appointment to discuss your diagnosis. Your doctor will not be able to prescribe anything to rid you of the flu, but he can perform tests that confirm your diagnosis to ease your mind.