Download IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU?

IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU?
It’s often difficult to tell whether you have a cold or the flu, especially when
symptoms first appear. However, your healthcare professional can help figure out
if you have a cold or the flu with a thorough examination. See the chart below to
learn about the differences between a cold and the flu.
Colds
• Caused by over 200 known
respiratory viruses
• Symptoms (appear gradually)
Flu (Influenza)
• Caused by influenza virus
• Symptoms (appear quickly)
- Fever (often) or feeling feverish/chills
- Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Vomiting and diarrhea
(more common in children than adults)
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Chest congestion
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
• Disease course of about 3-14 days
• No vaccine available
• No antiviral drug treatment available
• Disease course of about 1-2 weeks
• Vaccine available
• Antiviral drug treatments available
Colds
Colds are caused by many different
viruses, although a class of viruses
called rhinoviruses is the most common.
Cold viruses are transmitted by
exposure to coughs and sneezes in
the air or close personal contact with
infected people. Cold viruses can also
be caught through your eyes, mouth,
or nose by touching infected objects
like doorknobs, toys, cups, or mobile
devices. In fact, cold viruses can remain
infectious in the environment for
extended periods of time.
Colds last for about 3-14 days.
Symptoms that suggest a cold are
a runny nose with thick discharge
and stuffiness. The US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends that you should see
your healthcare professional if you have
a fever of over 100.4°F, if your cold
lasts longer than 10 days, or if you have
severe or unusual symptoms.
Influenza (flu)
The peak season for flu in the Northern
Hemisphere is November to March.
To help combat symptoms of flu
infection, antiviral drugs and seasonal
flu vaccines are available to the public
in the United States.
Influenza has a more sudden onset
of infection than a cold, and is often
associated with high fever, extreme
fatigue, muscle and body aches, and
sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. A
flu infection can last approximately
1-2 weeks, with the most severe
symptoms taking place during the
first several days. An adult with flu
is contagious up to 24 hours before
the onset of symptoms, and for up
to 7 days after onset of illness. Young
children, however, can continue to
spread flu virus up to 1-2 weeks after
onset of illness.
Infants and adults 65 years of age
and older are the most susceptible to
severe infection with typical strains of
the flu virus.
Antibiotics are often requested when
suffering from cold or flu; however,
these drugs cannot treat viruses and
will not help you feel better. While
there isn’t a cure for cold or a vaccine
to prevent infection, getting a lot of
rest and drinking plenty of fluids can
provide some relief. Over-the-counter
medications, such as decongestants
and cough expectorants, can also help
to ease symptoms.
Tips to prevent catching a cold/flu or spreading a cold or flu to others:
• Stay at home while you are sick
• Avoid close contact with others
• Move away from people before coughing or sneezing
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw it away
• Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after coughing,
sneezing, or blowing your nose, or touching objects that may be infected; you can
also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and objects such as toys and doorknobs
• Get a flu vaccination every year. Getting vaccinated can keep you from getting sick
from flu — or can make your illness milder if you do get sick
SOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. www.cdc.gov. Accessed May 7, 2015.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. www.niaid.nih.gov. Accessed May 7, 2015.
Flu.gov. www.flu.gov/about_the_flu/seasonal. Accessed August 4, 2015.
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