Discover what are the symptoms in order to know if you have flu or a simple cold
In this post you will learn how you can identify the symptoms caused by the common cold, and how to differentiate it from the so-called “flu”. The idea is that you can treat the disease in time and avoid future complications that can seriously affect your health.
Let’s start from the beginning.
It is normal for some people to mistakenly believe that over-the-counter medications, chicken soup, or some home remedies that our grandmothers taught us are really effective against this problem. True? If this is your case. Not so fast!
It is important to identify in time what type of disease you are dealing with!
This is mainly due to the fact that if the flu is not controlled in time, it can become complicated and cause serious complications in our body, such as; PULMONARY INFECTION PNEUMONIA. This can be deadly!
The vast majority of treatments for the so-called “flu” work best if they are ingested within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. (Antiviral medications prescribed by health professionals can reduce the effective time of illness).
Once you understand that you should be cautious with some treatments that are commonly used to treat this complication, you will understand that it is very important to pay close attention to the very alerts that your body generates while it is trying to combat the threat.
We know these types of alerts better as symptoms, and they are nothing more than biological responses of our body to the great battle that fights against viruses, bacteria and other types of pathogens that try to weaken our immune system.
If you feel as if a car has run over you, or if you cannot bear the intense headache, and the complications when trying to breathe are increasingly unbearable. It’s probably the flu.
Symptoms like sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches, congestion, and cough tend to come on suddenly. The flu usually improves in a period that goes from 2 to 5 days, but you may feel exhausted for a week or more, remember that your body has been fighting the problem and your strength will be at minimum levels.
Colds come on slowly and can last up to 10 days.
On the other hand, colds are usually less severe and simply include a runny or stuffy nose. While some people may have a mild fever when they have a cold, most do not.
If you have the flu, you will probably experience a temperature of 100º to 104º.
The fever that causes the flu in children tends to be higher. This is mainly because your immune system is in an early stage of adaptation to environmental hazards.
It is very likely that you will start to feel extremely exhausted and sore all over. This fatigue and weakness can last up to 3 weeks, or even longer in the case of older people and people with “chronic” diseases, or a weak immune system.
Usually, if you have a common cold, the illness will go away in a few days.
This affects the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat to the middle ear. It can cause severe, dull ear pain, hearing loss, and a “popping” sensation in both ears. It usually goes away with the other symptoms.
If the earache lasts longer than the flu or cold, or if you have a sudden, severe pain. You may have an ear infection that needs treatment. In this case, go to a doctor as soon as possible!
A cold often begins with a simple sore throat. This first symptom tends to last 1 to 2 days. Runny and stuffy nose are also common signs during this stage.
Symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a virus that causes it. Signs and symptoms, which can vary from person to person, can include:
The discharge from the nose may become thicker and yellowish or green in color as a common cold runs its course. This is an indication of a bacterial infection.
Yet, there is no vaccine for the common cold, but fortunately you can and should take common-sense precautions to slow the spread of viruses that cause the cold:
And finally, remember!
Your body is prepared to fight these types of biological anomalies, since for hundreds of years it has prepared for survival and immunity against certain pathogens, but do not stop paying attention to your health and do not allow a mild illness as this permanently affects your health, if you feel that the symptoms persist, see a doctor and discuss your case, in MarCare Clinic our Doctor will take care of you and your family, and they will give you the correct diagnostic. Please do not hesitate to book an appointment now.
At Marcare Clinic, we review, maintain, and offer a quality health service in Hamilton, Ontario.
If you need to visit your doctor for a general medical review or receive advice on improving your quality of life, do not hesitate to contact us.
