Is it a cold or the flu is a common question many of us ask this time of year.
Seeing your doctor and being tested for the flu is the most reliable way to know for sure; however, with the holidays upon us you may feel you are too busy with work, shopping, and family obligations to take time out of your day to see your primary care doctor or visit the local urgent care.
As the weather turns colder, many people brace themselves for cold and flu season.
But how do you know if it is a cold or the flu?
It’s important to know because the flu can be very severe and lead to dehydration and other conditions such as pneumonia.
First, you should know that both the common cold and the flu are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are designed to treat bacterial infections and are ineffective in the treatment of the cold or flu.
Tamiflu is a medication that was designed to shorten the duration and severity of flu symptoms.
If you have a cold, you are likely to experience a sore throat, runny nose, congestion, cough, and possibly low grade fever that may last a few days to a week.
You are contagious the first few days you have a cold, so if you can avoid going to work and are able to stay home your recovery may be faster and you will avoid spreading it around the work place.
Flu symptoms are much more severe.
With the flu, you usually have a sore throat, fever, headache, body aches, congestion, and cough. These symptoms will come on quickly and may persist for a week or longer.
Elderly patients and patients with a weak immune system should watch their symptoms closely. The flu and even a simple cold can turn into a bacterial infection such as pneumonia or sinus infection. So, if you are having symptoms for an extended period of time, recurrent fevers, coughing up phlegm or nasal discharge that has changed in color you may require antibiotic therapy, so it is best to seek medical attention.
Another sign to watch for is feeling shortness of breath. This could also indicate that your illness is turning into pneumonia. Pneumonia requires professional care and often requires hospitalization.
Many people who have the flu also lose their appetite. It’s important to make sure you continue drinking fluids and try to eat something of nutritional value when tolerated.
If you have the flu, it’s important to stay home while your fever is over 100 degrees F. You’ll want to do your best to get rest, fluids, and use natural remedies that are helpful for treating your symptoms and helping you get through the illness quickly.
The best way to avoid infection is by washing your hands regularly, sanitizing surfaces, and avoiding people with symptoms. However, it is still possible to contract the flu or a cold despite these precautions and preventative measures.
Getting the flu shot, unless you are allergic to one of the components of the flu vaccine, should be on your list of task as soon as it is available.