Your nose is blocked, your eyes are hurting, and you cannot swallow. You feel as if a truck ran you over and you cannot get out of bed. You are half-asleep grabbing tissues from the night stand to keep your nose from running. Your appetite is suppressed and your head is about to explode. Are these symptoms due to a cold or the flu? Or maybe it is Swine Flu? People often cannot tell the difference between a cold and flu because both cause respiratory symptoms but there are notable differences.
Difference between colds and the flu?
When you think cold, think nose. When you think flu, think whole body. Colds have more nasal symptoms of runny nose, sneezing and congestion, whereas the flu has more overall general symptoms of extreme fatigue, muscle aches, chills, nausea, and loss of appetite. Colds get worse gradually, the flu comes on suddenly and more severely. A cold typically lasts 1 week maximum, while the flu can make you feel run down for 2 weeks. Headaches and fever are less common in colds. However, children are more likely to develop a fever with a cold than adults. The fever in the flu is higher and lasts longer (3 to 4 days) than the occasional low-grade fever that may accompany a cold.
Difference between Swine Flu (H1N1) and Seasonal Flu?
The H1N1 virus is a new, highly contagious virus spreading fast and more frequently in the younger population (less than 25 years of age) than older people. Because H1N1 is spreading worldwide does not mean it is more aggressive or dangerous than the seasonal flu as of yet. Although the populations most affected differ, the symptoms of H1N1 and seasonal flu are very similar. The only definitive way to know for sure if you have the H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu is through a lab test.
Ways to catch a cold or flu?
They are caught the same way. Contrary to popular belief, going outside with wet hair or being overheated then chilled will not cause a cold or flu. Colds are NOT caused by cold THINGS: cold air, cold weather, cold water or cold drinks. Colds and flu are caused by viruses. When people are sick with a cold or flu, saliva and nasal secretions are loaded with these viruses that are causing illness. You must be in direct contact with these secretions or breathe the viral particles from the air to catch a cold or flu. So when somebody coughs or sneezes next to you, chances are you might get sick.
The love triangle between kids, germs and schools.
Wonder why the prevalence of colds and flu increases in the back-to-school months? This is because large groups of children are together in confined spaces, contrary to the old wives’ tale that kids get sick in those months due to not dressing warm enough! Not to mention kids are not the most hygienic of creatures. Kids are notorious for touching contaminated objects then rubbing their eyes and noses or putting their hands in their mouths which are the ports of entry for cold and flu viruses. Studies have shown that the influenza viruses can survive on environmental surfaces for 2 to 8 hours. It should be no surprise why children may have up to twelve colds a year in comparison to adults which average about two to four a year. In addition, their developing immune systems make them more vulnerable to catching things than adults who have been more exposed.
Vaccination:
Flu vaccines contain small amounts of the viral substances causing disease. Ever wonder why there is no vaccine for a cold? This is because colds are caused by more than 200 different types of viruses, making it impossible to develop a vaccine. On the other hand, influenza (flu) is caused by 3 basic types of viruses: Type A, Type B and Type C. The typical seasonal flu vaccine is made up of two Influenza A virus subtypes and one Influenza B strain. The H1N1 virus (commonly known as Swine Flu) is of the Type A variety which is the type most responsible for the majority of worldwide epidemics. The flu virus changes quickly which is why you need a different flu shot every year. A seasonal flu shot will not guard against swine flu. The swine flu shot requires a separate shot.
Stopping the spread:
• Stay home until you have no fever for 24 hours (fever should be gone without medications).
• Avoid sharing food utensils or drinking glasses.
• Practice strict hand washing; if water and soap is unavailable use alcohol-based hand rubs.
• Cough or sneeze in your sleeve or tissue, not your hands; dispose of dirty tissues immediately.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because germs spread this way.
How to stay comfortable if you have a cold or flu.
Do not take antibiotics for a cold and flu; they will not work for viruses! You must wait till the virus runs its course which takes between 4 and 14 days for your body to clear it out. You can treat symptoms by using fever-reducing medications for fever and decongestants to clear a stuffy nose but there is no quick fix. Time, drinking plenty of warm fluids and sleeping it off are the best remedies for a cold or flu.
