Cold
or Flu? How to Know Which One You Have
Your nose is
stuffy, your throat is scratchy, and your head is pounding. Is it a cold or the
seasonal flu? Symptoms can overlap, so unless your doctor runs a rapid flu test
— a quick check done with a cotton swab from the back of your nose or throat — it’s
hard to know for sure. Here are some basic guidelines for telling the
difference between cold and flu symptoms, and what to do if you have either one
of these infections.
Viruses cause
colds and the flu. Both are respiratory infections. The simplest way to tell
the difference is by looking at your symptoms.
If you have a
cold, you’ll probably have symptoms like these:
·
runny or stuffy
nose
·
sneezing
·
cough
·
headache
or body aches
·
mild tiredness
Flu symptoms can
include:
·
dry, hacking
cough
·
moderate to high
fever, although not everyone with the flu will run a fever
·
sore throat
·
shaking chills
·
severe muscle or
body aches
·
headache
·
stuffy and runny
nose
·
severe fatigue
that may last up to two weeks
·
nausea and vomiting (most common in children)
Colds come on gradually over a few days and are often
milder than the flu. They usually get better in 7 to 10 days, although symptoms
can last for up to 2 weeks.
Flu
symptoms come on quickly and can be severe. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks.
Use your
symptoms as a guide to figure out which condition you have. If you think you
might have the flu, see your doctor to get tested within the first 48 hours of
showing symptoms.
The common cold
is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. According to the Mayo Clinic, more
than 100 different viruses can cause the common cold. However, the rhinovirus is most often the one that makes people
sneeze and sniffle, and it’s highly contagious.
Though you can catch a cold at any time of year, colds are more common during
the winter months. This is because most cold-causing viruses
thrive in low humidity. Colds spread when someone who’s sick sneezes or coughs, sending virus-filled droplets flying through the air. You can get sick if you touch a surface (such as a countertop or doorknob) that has recently been handled by an infected person and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes. You’re most contagious in the first two to four days after you were exposed to the cold virus.
Because it is a
viral infection, antibiotics are not effective at treating a cold. However,
over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, acetaminophen, and NSAIDs, can relieve congestion, aches, and other cold symptoms. Drink
plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Some people take
natural remedies, such as zinc, vitamin C, or echinacea, to prevent or relieve cold symptoms. The
evidence is mixed on whether they work.
A 2015 study in BMC Family Practice found that high-dose (80 milligram)
zinc lozenges could shorten the length of colds if taken within 24 hours of
showing symptoms. Vitamin C doesn’t seem to prevent colds, but if you take it
consistently, it might lessen your symptoms, according to a 2013 Cochrane review. And
echinacea hasn’t been shown to
help prevent or treat colds. A 2017 study in BMJ found vitamin D helps protect against both colds and flu.
Colds usually
clear up within 7 to 10 days. See a doctor if:
·
your cold hasn’t
improved in about a week
·
you start to run
a high fever
·
your fever
doesn’t go down
You could have
allergies or a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics, such as sinusitis
or strep throat. A nagging cough could also be a sign of asthma or bronchitis.
