Colds and Flu, What is the Difference?

Entering the rainy season, not a few of those around us who began contracting colds and flu. Both the disease was actually as much a respiratory infection and showed similar symptoms. But, if you know the difference?

1. Cold
Symptoms of colds can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. This is why we can not be immune to the common cold because immunity to one type of the virus surely will not protect you against the other 199!

It is estimated that, children may develop between 4-8 times a cold every year, while adults can have about 2-4 times. You also can suffer from a cold at any time, but usually a cold virus will plague during the rainy season. Generally, cold symptoms appear gradually.

Common symptoms of colds usually are:
1. Runny nose or nasal congestion with mucus
2. Sneezing
3. Cough
4. Sore throat
However, people also may experience a mild fever (particularly children), fatigue, earaches, and headaches.

2. Flu
Only three viruses responsible for colds. Three virus is capable of undergoing genetic changes that could create a new group of viruses. After experiencing flu once a year, does not mean you will be immune to the virus in the next year due to new virus strains can circulate.

Flu can cause severe illness, especially in children, the elderly, and people with low immune systems. Flu symptoms usually develop much more quickly than a cold and can be more severe. Flu is going to improve after a week, but may make the patient still feels weak and tired.

Common symptoms of flu such as:
1. Sudden onset of fever, body temperature exceeds 38 degrees celsius
2. Sudden dry cough
3. Headache
4. Fatigue
5. Cold
6. Pain in muscles and joints
7. Sore throat
8. Runny nose
9. Sneezing
10. Loss of appetite
11. Difficulty sleeping

Colds and flu can usually be treated at home only with rest, drinking lots of fluids and take painkillers such as paracetamol.