Cold vs Flu - A Respiratory dilemma

Penny says: Ah - CHOOO! Is this a cold or a flu?

Which one do you have and how do you get rid of it as quickly as possible.

First off they are both viral so antibiotics (they fight bacterial infections) are no good here.

Symptoms are something we are all very familiar with includes:

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Sore throat	Common	Uncommon
Nasal congestion	Common	Uncommon
Sneezing	Common	Uncommon
Headache	Uncommon	Common
Chest congestion	Mild to moderate	Severe
Fever	Rare (low if any)	Mid to High
Body Aches and Weakness	Slight	Common often severe
Fatigue	Mild (except 2 days prior to onset)	Often Severe throughout
Onset of symptoms	Gradual develop slowly over a couple of days	Sudden (3-6 hours post exposure)
Coughing	Wet Hacking cough	Dry persistent cough
Mucous	Lots	Little
General yuckiness	YEP!	YEP!

So what do you do once you know what virus you are dealing with?

The Common cold is usually the result of a rhinovirus, coronavirus, or adenovirus getting in your nose or mouth when someone else sneezes or coughs on you. One reason for the high transmission rate is that you are infectious a whole day before your full list of symptoms appear and you continue to be contagious for the next five days. After you realize, wowzers I have a cold you have exposed everyone yesterday and will continue for the next 4 days.

The virus sets up camp and multiplies in your nasopharynx (the warm moist spot between your nose and throat. The cold is full blown with in 2 to 3 days post exposure. The most common first sign of a cold is unusually fatigue and a scratchy throat. As soon as you feel a tingle in your throat you should gargle with salt water or as several wise men once said have a stiff drink to give the virus a less attractive area to set up camp. Symptoms should resolve with in one week but could last up to 14 days. After you are sick you should probably avoid alcohol because it is a depressant and can decrease you ability to breathe.

How to best fight a cold - you will have to give your body the tools it needs to fight it off.
Plenty of fluids, plenty of rest and take meds to treat the irritating symptoms that are preventing you from getting enough sleep. There are no anti-viral therapies approved for the prevention or treatment of the common cold. So wash your hands and stop touching your face to help prevent the spread of colds.

The Flu is a different chapter of the feeling generally yucky story.

The Orthomyxoviridae virus is the cause of most Flu’s in people – with symptoms including fever, muscle pain, headache, coughing, weakness, and general discomfort. The Flu can lead to pneumonia hence it is deadly to some seniors and infants. If think you have the flu you can go to your doctor or a medical clinic in the first 48hours and get prescription anti-virals like Tamiflu, that stop the replication of the virus, easing symptoms, shortening duration, and helps prevent re-infection.

The flu shot is not evil and if you need one get one. They only real problem that can arise is due to possible allergic reaction to a component in the vaccine – do not get one if you are allergic - but if you are not allergic to vaccines in general and you are a senior, a kid, an asthmatic, or a person with chronic disease ask your doctor about getting a flu shot.

Even with the addition of antivirals – you still need to get rest and stay hydrated. Some research has shown that fever is the body's natural defense against virus (making the body less hospitable for virus to set up camp) but fever leads to dehydration and high fever can induce seizures in kids and is generally bad for adults.


Some things to keep in mind about over the counter medications for Respiratory illnesses

Only take medicines for symptoms that you have

Avoid stimulants like pseudophederine unless you need them (decongestants) they can have adverse effects on your blood pressure and heart function.

Cough suppressants – These medications work to stop you from coughing – this is fine and dandy when you have a dry cough like the one with Flu – but if you are full of mucus do not take a cough suppressant – you need to cough up that fluid and get it out of your lungs! Example of cough suppressants also called antitussives (codeine, and Dextromethorphan (DM)).

Advil vs Tylonol – this could be a topic on its own but for now lets remember the following
If you are pregnant – no Advil for you Tylenol will do.
If you are a kid – Ask a pharmacist and know your current weight before either is given to you!!
If you just have a fever and general aches take a regular Tylenol and wait to see if you require a higher dose.


I am not an MD but I can read and do have graduate level training in human physiology - but legal – this is not advise just information to ponder and ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do when you get sick!



- A side note – quit spending your money on so called preventatives like coldfx that are just expensive vitamins – eat some fresh veggies and fruits they are cheaper have the same effect and taste a whole lot better!!