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Flu and cold symptoms are similar, yet treatments differ. It is important to know the difference so treatment is effective. The flu is treated with prescription medications, but a cold just has to run its course. It is important to treat the flu correctly so it does not progress into something more serious.
SymptomsFlu starts all of a sudden, out of the blue, while a cold grows gradually worse. Flu comes with a fever and headache along with severe body aches. A cold rarely produces a high fever and body aches are minimal. Extreme exhaustion accompanies the flu along with chest discomfort and a severe cough. A cold may cause fatigue at first, but is not as prominent. A cold usually causes sore throat, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose and sneezing. Flu sometimes accompanies these symptoms, but not all the time. Flu can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia while a cold rarely creates more severe problems other than sinus and ear infections.
PreventionInfluenza spreads through the air. Therefore, a sufferer who sneezes without cover contaminates the air. Anyone in the vicinity that breathes the air can catch flu. A sufferer who coughs into the hand, then touches a shopping cart spreads the disease when someone else touches the cart, then touches their eyes or nose. That is why it is important to wipe off shopping carts before using them. Use personal pens to sign charge recipes and if using an electronic pen be sure to wash with hand sanitizer after using. Also sanitize after using ATM machines or any other public aids that are touched. Always wipe down the public or family phone before using .
TreatmentGet plenty of rest as the fatigue that comes with flu lasts several weeks. Drink tea, fruit juice and clear chicken soup. Take ibuprofen for body aches and use a cough suppressant. Create steam by letting hot water run in the shower or use a humidifier. This keeps sinuses open. Prescription medications are available, but most must be taken within the first 12 to 48 hours of the onset.
Those with chronic disease, Diabetes, AIDS or HIV, those 50 or older, health care workers and teachers should always be immunized every year. They are the ones most likely to become infected or have complications.
What else can I help you with?
How can you recognize a flu symptom?
Flu symptoms are hard to recognize sometimes as they often appear as cold symptoms, however a telling sign of the flu is in the suddenness and intensity of which the symptoms hit you that are often accompanied by weakness and fatigue.
What are the benefits of drinking catnip tea?
Drinking Catnip tea can help an individual's aid in digestion, ease stomach aches and pains, help with cold and flu symptoms, as well as help ease a cough by adding honey.
What are the symptoms of the onset of flu?
Some of the symptoms for the flu are the same as the common cold, but there are a few symptoms that you only get with the flu. The most common of these symptoms are a fever of 101 or higher, body and joint aches, and a headache. If you are experiencing these symptoms along with other cold like symptoms we recommend seeing your Dr. about the flu.
Do Not Mistake the Flu for the Common Cold?
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.
If you have both flu and cold symptoms what do you have?
You could have either a cold or the flu or both. Or, you could have allergies. See the related questions for information about the symptoms of cold and flu.
Have you ever tried using Hyland's Cold and Flu products for relief from cold and flu symptoms?
I have not personally tried using Hyland's Cold and Flu products for relief from cold and flu symptoms.
Anyone ever get flu like symptoms from poison oak sumac rash?
It's not common for poison oak to cause flu symptoms. However, it can cause allergy symptoms which can appear similar to those of a flu.
How does a flu vaccine work to protect against the influenza virus?
A flu vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies that can recognize and fight off the influenza virus. When a person is vaccinated, their immune system is trained to recognize the virus and respond quickly if they are exposed to it in the future, helping to prevent infection or reduce the severity of symptoms.
What do you have if you show Flu like symptoms red spots on belly?
flu like symptoms,red spots on belly,and nausea
What are the most common symptoms of flu?
There are many symptoms of the flu. The most common symptoms of the flu include a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, coughing, a sore throat, a runny nose, fatigue, nausea, and chills.
How can one contract the avian flu and what are it's symptoms?
To prevent contracting the avian flu, avoid contact with infected birds. If you have normal flu symptoms, eye infections, or respiratory issues, you many have the avian flu.
What are the common flu symptoms and how to prevent the flu?
Common flu symptoms can include cold-like symptoms of coughing and sneezing to fevers and sluggishness. A good way of trying to avoid getting the flu is washing your hands after touching possibly contaminated surfaces so that it doesn't spread.
