NUTRITION CARE

The Difference Between Cold and Flu Symptoms: What You Need to Know

How to Tell the Difference Between Cold and Flu Symptoms

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Knowing the symptoms of each illness and how they're transmitted can help you get the treatment you need sooner

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MAR. 04, 2020   4 MIN. READ
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Americans contract more than 1 billion colds and 45 million cases of influenza (the flu) per year. But when illness strikes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between cold and flu symptoms.

However, these two viral respiratory illnesses have some key differences. Knowing the distinctions can help you better determine which ailment you're dealing with so you can get the treatment you need — and ultimately feel better — sooner. 

Cold Versus Flu Symptoms

Cold symptoms appear gradually and include sneezing, a runny nose, a sore throat, a mild to moderate cough and slight fatigue. Fever, aches, chills and headaches are much less common with a cold.

In comparison, flu symptoms arrive quickly and consist of fever (often 101 degrees Farenheit or higher), body aches, chills, coughing, congestion and fatigue. The flu is sometimes accompanied by headache and a sore throat.

Influenza is a more serious viral infection than the common cold and can lead to complications. The most common complication of influenza is a viral or bacterial pneumonia or lung infection. This can sometimes lead to hospitalization or even more serious outcomes. If you suspect you or your child has influenza, contact your doctor.

How Are the Cold and Flu Transmitted?

Both the cold and the flu are caused by viruses. The common cold is derived from multiple viruses, but the most prevalent virus is rhinovirus. The flu, however, is contracted from different types/strains of the influenza virus.

Viruses spread through the air, personal contact and bodily discharge, like saliva or respiratory fluids from coughing or sneezing. Both colds and flu are transmitted the same way. By taking the following measures, you can better arm yourself against both illnesses:

  • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, using soap and warm water, and be sure             to dry them thoroughly when finished.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, rather than on your hands.
  • When possible, stay away from people who are ill and do not go to work or send your                   children to school if you or they are sick.

Another common and effective way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. About two weeks after the injection, influenza antibodies develop in the body and may prevent the development of the flu or reduce the severity of its symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu shot for anyone over the age of 6 months.

How Can You Treat the Cold and Flu?

Unfortunately, there is no magic cure to make the cold or flu disappear, but there are approaches that you can take to weaken the illnesses and speed up your recovery.

Consult a doctor. If you experience flu-like symptoms, visit your doctor or an urgent care clinic. An anti-viral medication can weaken the severity and duration of the illness, but it is most helpful if administered within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms.

Do not take an antibiotic. Since the cold and flu are not bacterial diseases, they cannot be treated with an antibiotic. Also, taking an antibiotic when it's not necessary can make you more prone to some illnesses.

Take over the counter fever reducers: Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat many of the common symptoms. These medications can reduce fever, sore throat, and body aches, chills and headaches that are common with the flu.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Both a cold and the flu can cause dehydration and drinking enough fluids is vital for recovery. High sugar beverages, like sports drinks or sodas, don't contain the necessary electrolytes to facilitate optimal hydration. Instead, drink water, hot or iced tea, coconut water or a rehydration solution like Pedialyte®, which has a small amount of glucose and key electrolytes such as sodium, chloride and potassium.

Get proper nutrition. Having a decreased appetite is common with the flu but getting key nutrients can help you keep your energy levels up and help you recover. You may not feel like eating fruits and vegetables when you're sick, so try to get them in other forms like soups or smoothies.

As you bounce back and your appetite returns, if you need additional nutritional support, a product like Ensure® Original help, as it comes loaded with 27 vitamins and minerals and 9 grams of protein per bottle.

Take time for rest. Staying at home and resting can stop you from further spreading the illness and allow your body the time it needs to heal. Keep in mind, you are most contagious in the first 24 hours of developing the cold or flu. Influenza is highly contagious, and you should stay home from work or school until you are fever free for 24 hours.

This year, by knowing the difference between cold and flu symptoms and how they're transmitted, you can be prepared to treat symptoms and know when to seek medical help.

Staying Hydrated When Sick: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Get Enough Fluids

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When your child is sick, it's natural to worry about them — especially if they're not drinking as much as you know they should be. But it can be difficult to know whether your child is taking in enough fluids to replenish losses, and it can be just as hard to get a sick kid to drink anything.

This article will review the signs of mild to moderate dehydration in children and explore how to keep kids hydrated when they aren't feeling well.

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7 Signs of the Flu to Look Out For

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A woman lies under a blanket on the couch with a tissue on her lap, reading a thermometer.

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The flu is a contagious respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat and airways. Symptoms can range from mild (a sore throat and runny nose) to severe (a high fever and body aches). The flu may also lead to serious health complications and fatalities, especially in adults 65 and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant people and people with chronic health conditions.

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