What Is The Difference Between The Flu And A Cold? Learn How To Get Relief Quickly

Flu and cold are often confused, mainly because these illnesses occur at the same time of year and have some symptoms in common.

Respiratory diseases are among the most common ailments worldwide because they usually appear together with the sudden change in temperature in the environment, especially with the cold, since the arrival of winter causes a decrease in the defensive capacity of the mucous membranes in the airways.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national public health agency in the United States, the flu and the common cold are often confused, mainly because they occur at the same time and have some symptoms in common, so they share magnitude and also risk of complications.

For the North American federal agency under the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services, it is “extremely important” that the international population knows how to differentiate one disease from another because one is usually more serious and presents much more intense symptoms than the other.

It is worth mentioning that both diseases are caused by a virus but of a different type. In the case of the flu, it is the influenza virus, also known as H1N1, which has the ability to adapt over time and modify its symptoms; while colds are caused by the rhinovirus, a much more common virus.

Differences between the flu and a cold

As mentioned above, the flu virus has the ability to modify itself from time to time, which causes its symptoms to be different depending on the region in which it is found. On the other hand, the cold rhinovirus is much more common and can appear at different times of the year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, the main difference between the flu and a cold is the intensity of the symptoms, because the flu is “much more intense, debilitating and can cause fever for more than three days,” as well as other symptoms, which can last up to 2 weeks.

A cold, on the other hand, is shorter and milder, although it also shares symptoms with the flu, such as nasal congestion, sneezing, mucus, cough, loss of appetite, and pain in the throat and head; although the fever of a cold is usually very low and only causes general discomfort and fatigue.

In turn, the fever of the flu is higher and the discomfort goes beyond a general malaise, to the point of causing intense muscle pain, chills in the body and fatigue ; however, despite the difference between both diseases, experts recommend that the population receive medical assistance if the pain increases.

How to get relief quickly?

The basic treatment for both diseases is very similar; however, if there are complications or a very high fever for more than four days, it is necessary for the infected person to see a doctor to evaluate their health status, as it could be some other type of more unusual illness.

However, for mild colds and flu, one of the most effective ways to get better quickly is to rest and drink plenty of water, as this will help to eliminate mucus. Despite this, although the methods are effective, to speed up the process it is recommended to take a painkiller, such as paracetamol , to relieve discomfort or pain.

It is important to mention that self-medication can have negative consequences for the health of the infected person, so it is always advisable to go to a health center in the most complex cases, where staying hydrated to keep the mucous membranes moist or resting is not enough to feel better.