You’re sneezing, have a cough, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose. Influenza, commonly called the flu, may seem at first like a common cold. Both are respiratory illnesses caused by viruses, but you’ll usually feel much worse with the flu. Here’s some insight on the flu’s causes, symptoms and treatment, and how it differs from a cold.
What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?
While many types of viruses can cause a cold, the flu is an infection caused by a few specific viruses that regularly develop new strains. And flu symptoms, which are more intense, tend to come on more suddenly than the gradual, milder symptoms of a cold.
What are symptoms of the flu?
Symptoms include a headache, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, fatigue, high fever that may exceed 40 degrees Celsius, chills and sweats, and aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs.
What are symptoms of a cold?
They can include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough and fatigue. There’s usually no fever.
What should I do if I catch the flu?
Stay in bed and rest, and make sure to drink plenty of liquids. To combat fever and achiness, you can take over-the-counter fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications.
Who should see a doctor?
Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home. But those at high risk of developing complications should see a doctor, including adults older than age 65, people with a chronic illness such as heart or lung disease and who have a high fever, and young children under age 5.
A doctor’s visit is also in order if you have, in addition to typical flu symptoms and malaise, symptoms such as shortness of breath, circulatory problems or dizziness. The same goes if you’ve got over a cold or mild case of the flu and then have a recurrence after three or four days. This could be pneumonia, the most serious complication of the flu.
How long does a case of the flu last?
You’ll often be bedridden for at least a week before the worst symptoms subside. A cough and fatigue can last longer. By contrast, a cold usually runs its course within a week.
How can I get the flu?
Flu viruses are transmitted by tiny airborne droplets, for example when an infected person sneezes and you inhale the droplets. You can also pick up the germs from a contaminated object — door handles in particular are a hot spot — and then transfer them to mucous membranes in your nose, mouth or eyes. So it helps to wash your hands often and thoroughly.
How can I protect myself against the flu?
Though not 100-per-cent effective, an annual flu vaccination — typically by injection — is the most effective defence. The best time to have it is in October or November (in the Northern Hemisphere). Since it takes about two weeks before your body fully develops sufficient antibodies, you’ll be protected during the peak of flu season around the turn of the year.
Can flu infection be life-threatening?
Healthy children and adults usually have nothing to fear from flu infection. In some cases, however, it can cause life-threatening complications. At highest risk are older people and the chronically ill, who have a weakened immune system. – dpa
