Colds and Flu

By Diane M. Yoakam R.N., M.S.N., C.E.N., HealthAtoZ contributing writer

Can you separate fact from fiction? Test what you know. Then read about colds and flu.

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

Although both the common cold and flu bug are caused by a viral infection, they are not the same disorder. The common cold tends to be a milder infection with less severe symptoms that typically last for three to seven days. The flu bug, or influenza, usually hits harder, causing more severe symptoms that can last from seven to 14 days. Both disorders are caused by a viral infection that invades the respiratory tract, affecting the nose, throat and chest.

Researchers estimate more than 200 different viruses are capable of causing the common cold. Influenza is caused by a single strain of one of three different viruses that constantly change each year.

What are the symptoms associated with the cold and flu viruses?

Common cold or flu symptoms include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Muscle aches
• Chilliness

Generally speaking, cold symptoms appear more gradually and are not as widespread as flu symptoms. Flu sufferers usually report a sudden and severe onset of symptoms that often begin with a fever and muscle aches, and tend to be more widespread, affecting the entire body.

Is there any cure for the cold or flu?

The flu and the cold do not have a cure. The flu can often be prevented by getting an influenza virus vaccine. The vaccine is produced after health researchers decide which of the influenza viruses are most likely to cause the flu that year. The protection lasts less than one year. Therefore you need to get vaccinated each year. The best time is in early November, but it can be given at later times during the winter. The vaccine is recommended for certain groups of people who are at higher risk for developing serious flu complications. Talk to your physician to see if you should receive the flu vaccine.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health-care provider. Certain antiviral drugs can speed up recovery when taken early. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and very young children.

Other than that, all you can do to feel better is treat your symptoms, while your body fights the virus.

What can I do at home to feel better?

Rest. Rest is important especially while you have a fever. You often feel more tired while you have cold and flu symptoms, and you may need more sleep than usual.

Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids help loosen mucus in your nose and chest. They also help prevent dehydration caused by fever. Water, fruit juices, popsicles and ginger ale are examples of fluids that may help.

Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke is a respiratory irritant that only makes your symptoms worse.

Gargle with warm salt water. Gargling a few times a day can relieve a sore throat.

If you are over the age of 5, suck on cough lozenges or hard candy. This can help to quiet a cough.

Use saline nose drops. When applied to the nasal passages, saline drops help moisten the irritated skin and help loosen mucus.

Use cool-mist vaporizers and humidifiers. A vaporizer works by generating steam, which can help to loosen secretions and make breathing easier. The possibility of spilling scalding water is a hazard. Keep a vaporizer out of reach of children. A humidifier sprays cool mist into the air and can produce the same results as a vaporizer. Both machines can become breeding grounds for mildew and other types of organisms. Clean and disinfect this equipment according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

Are there any medications available to help with the cold and flu symptoms?

Although no medication can cure the cold or flu, prescription antivirals can speed up recovery from the flu if taken no later than 2 days after the first symptoms appear. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within 2 days of illness. Therefore, if you get flu-like symptoms, seek medical care early.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs help relieve the symptoms. Americans spend about $2 billion each year on cold remedies. Many cold and flu medicines contain more than one medication. Read labels carefully. Choose products that treat only the symptoms you have. Check with your doctor before giving any medicine to children. OTC cold and cough remedies should not be used in children 6 and under without the express direction of the child's treating physician.

Here are ingredients found in OTC cold and flu medicines:

• Analgesics: These medications relieve muscle aches and pains and reduce fever. Examples include acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Expectorants: These medications work by thinning mucus so that it can more easily be coughed up. An example is guaifenesin.
• Anti-tussives: These medications work by quieting a cough. They are usually recommended for dry coughs where you are not producing mucus. An example is dextromethorphan.
• Decongestants: These medications can be administered either orally or by nasal spray. They shrink the nasal passages and reduce congestion. Examples are pseudophedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine.

Take these medications as directed by your physician or the OTC product's label. Read labels carefully, checking for limitations in the use of these medications, such as other preexisting medical conditions or other medications being taken. Check with your pharmacist about possible duplication of medications and drug interactions between several OTC medications or between OTC and prescription medications.

How will I know when a cold or flu needs medical attention?

Complications from a cold or flu virus can lead to such conditions as bronchitis, ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia or another bacterial infection. If you are at high risk for complications from the flu or if you develop the following symptoms, call or visit your physician:

• A cold or flu that lasts for more than 10 days.
• Earache or drainage from the ear canal.
• Severe pain in your face or forehead.
• Temperature higher than 102 degrees F. Remember that any baby 12 weeks and under with a fever of 100.4 degrees F (rectal temperature) or greater needs emergency medical evaluation.
• Shortness of breath.
• Wheezing.
• Hoarseness, sore throat or cough that doesn't go away.

Related Articles What Is the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu? Fight Germs, Wash Your Hands Cold, Flu and Sinus

External Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human Parainfluenza Viruses (Common cold and croup). Accessed May 14, 2007. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza Symptoms, Protection, and What to Do If You Get Sick. Accessed May 14, 2007.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

Search