Both cold and flu are caused by viruses, and they probably have similar symptoms. So how do you know if you have flu or a bad cold? Well, this article has covered all the major differences between cold and flu.
The major difference between flu and cold is that, usually, symptoms of the flu are way more severe than cold. Every year, about 2,00,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu. It is responsible for about 23,600 deaths every year.
The difference between cold and flu
Cold and flu are caused by various viruses, and, in general, the symptoms of flu are worse than anything. It is less possible to have serious complications from cold, such as bacterial infections and pneumonia.
- The major difference between flu and cold is that flu is more common to include fever. The fever can last for 3-5 days and can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The extreme tiredness linked with flu can persist for weeks. You might have to get admit to the hospital for a long time. In such cases, it’s always important to have health insurancefor complete protection.
- Cold symptoms are generally milder than flu and last for about 1 week.
- Vomiting is another major difference. Vomiting is not generally associated with cold but can be there in flu.
Although the differences mentioned-above are generally true, without conducting any special tests, it’s impossible to get sure that whether it is flu or cold. For instance, it is possible to have flu even without having a fever.
What is cold?
Almost everyone knows the sensation of having a cold. Cold affects cool and warm climates equally, and the average person will have a cold from infancy all the way until death.
Symptoms include
- body aches
- sore throat
- coughing and sneezing
- watery eyes
- a runny nose
- a headache
Generally, it’s not important to visit a doctor, but people with a weak immune system are more likely to get pneumonia as a complication.
What is the flu?
There are three different types of the flu virus, influenza A, B, and C. Types A and B are the ones that lead to seasonal epidemics. The key symptom of flu is having a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or feeling feverish. However, not everyone having flu will have a fever.
Other symptoms include:
- headaches or body aches
- chills and shivering
- a sore throat and a cough
- fatigue
- a congested or runny nose
- vomiting, nausea, and possibly diarrhea, especially in children
Common cold has less possibility to have a high fever. With a cold, symptoms such as throat irritation or runny nose will normally improve within a few days. If it doesn’t improve then visit the doctor and ensure that you have health insurance plan.
It’s essential to adopt healthy habits to keep the flu and cold germs away. You should always ensure to get sufficient sleep, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and manage your stress during the flu and cold season and beyond.
