IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU? COMMON SYMPTOMS AND DIFFERENCES.

The terms cold and flu are incorrectly used in everyday language. 

This tends to happen because the differences are minimal but important.

FLU

The flu is a viral infectious disease that is commonly characterised for its sudden emergence during the winter season.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms are:

• High fever. Higher than 38 degrees.
• Intense headache.
• Joint pain.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Sore throat.
• Blocked nose.
• Cough.

TREATMENT

• Bed rest for a week
• Ensure that you are well hydrated by drinking hot drinks and by taking medication to reduce the fever and the pain.

COMPLICATIONS

The most serious complications that can arise from having suffered the flu are bronchitis and pneumonias.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnant women, diabetics, people that have low immune systems or that suffer from chronic pulmonary diseases have take precautions to avoid contracting the flu.

COLD

The cold is also a viral disease that is commonly contracted during the winter season.

SYMPTOMS

• A number of symptoms are different to those of the flu.
• Heavy secretions from the nose.
• Sneezes.
• A fever that is not higher than 38 degrees.
• A headache, however it is not as intense as the one that is experienced when suffering from the flu.
• Tiredness that does not prevent you from fulfilling daily activities.

These symptoms slowly emerge and last from three to seven days. 

TREATMENT

Hydration, hot drinks and pain killers.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST CONTAGION

Both viruses are spread from person to person via saliva droplets that we expel when we talk, whether we see them or not.

The virus can also be spread when the sufferer coughs, sneezes, places their hand over their mouth or touches objects with their contaminated hands.

Preventive measures:

• Use disposable tissues
• Never cough or sneeze over your hands, always on your arm.
• Regularly wash your hands and never greet someone with them if you have a cold or the flu.
• Thoroughly clean the surfaces that everybody touches such as doorknobs, wardrobes, tables, toilets, etc.
• Maintain a high level of hygiene, especially where pregnant women, children and people that suffer from chronic illnesses or are immunosuppressed are present.
• Vaccines to be administered to as many people as possible, mainly to older people and people that suffer from chronic illnesses.
• Maintain a varied diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which are present in fruits and vegetables.