Difference Between Cold And Flu
What is Cold?
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract and is caused by a variety of viruses. Symptoms of the common cold include a sore throat, runny nose, congestion, and coughing. Treatment of the common cold usually involves rest and drinking plenty of fluids, and may also include over-the-counter medications such as decongestants, pain relievers, and cough suppressants. In most cases, the common cold will resolve itself without medical treatment within a few days to a week.
What is Flu?
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.
Difference Between Cold And Flu
👉 The main difference between a cold and the flu is the severity of the symptoms. The flu is usually much more severe than a cold, and the symptoms are more intense. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and headaches. Cold symptoms are usually milder and may include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and a cough.
👉 The other difference between a cold and the flu is how long the symptoms last. Flu symptoms usually last from one to two weeks, whereas cold symptoms can last up to two weeks or more.
👉 The flu is caused by different viruses than the common cold, and the viruses that cause the flu are more easily spread from person to person than the viruses that cause colds. Vaccines are available to help prevent the flu, but there is no vaccine available to prevent the common cold
👉 The flu can have serious complications, such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Cold symptoms are rarely serious enough to require medical attention.
Conclusion
When you are sick, you want to stay in bed, not get up and move. The flu is no different. You want to take care of yourself so that you can be better. This makes it very important for people to know the difference between colds and flu.
See Also...
Difference between Vaccination and Immunization
