common cold symtoms vs flu symptoms?

common cold symtoms vs flu symptoms?

Posted by KAS_4_CA_BA_JES'_MOMMIE
Hey there...
Here is what I found. I hope this helps "Clear" things up a lil for you. (no pun intended :D LOL)

1. What is the difference between a COLD and the FLU?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Because they have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell them apart.

What Is a Cold?
It's called common cold. The common part is right on: it's the most frequent infection across all U.S. age groups. Most adults have 2-4 colds per year and children have 3 to 8 per year.
What does happen is that you catch a virus from another person. This often happens by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. You can also catch a cold by encountering secretions sneezed into the air.
A cold begins when a cold virus enters the body. Your immune system sends white blood cells out to attack this germ. Unless you've encountered it before, the initial attack fails and your body sends in reinforcements. Your nose and throat get inflamed and produce lots of mucus. With so much of your energy directed at fighting the virus, you feel tired and miserable.

What Causes It?
There are approximately 200 viruses that can cause a cold. Rhinoviruses and there are more than 100 subtypes -- cause up to half of all colds.
While getting a chill does not cause a cold, there are factors that make a person more susceptible to attack by cold viruses. These include excessive fatigue, emotional distress, immature or compromised immune systems, and close contact with someone with a cold.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/129/117347.htm?z=4068_00000_4044_f2_03

What is the flu?
Influenza or "the flu" develops when a flu virus infects your respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and possibly the lungs. A cold virus infects usually infects only your upper respiratory tract: your nose and throat. Flu symptoms are generally worse than illness caused by the common cold. What we call "stomach flu" or "intestinal flu" is really another virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It's confusing terminology, because it really isn't the flu. It's just another type of viral infection.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/128/116938.htm?z=1020_00000_6698_f2_02

And in a nutshell.......
Symptoms:
A)Cold
B)Flu

1)Fever:
A)Rare
B)Characteristic, high (100-102°F); lasts 3-4 days

2)Headache:
A)Rare
B)Prominent

3)General Aches:
A) Pains Slight Usual
B)often severe

4)Fatigue, Weakness:
A) Quite mild
B)Can last up to 2-3 weeks

5)Extreme Exhaustion:
A) Never
B) Early and prominent

6)Stuffy Nose:
A)Common
B) Sometimes

7)Sneezing:
A)Usual
B) Sometimes

8)Sore Throat:
A)Common
B) Sometimes

9)Chest Discomfort, Cough:
A)Mild to moderate hacking cough
B) Common; can become severe

10) Complications:
A) Sinus congestion or earache
B) Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening

11)Prevention:
A) None
B) Annual vaccination; amantadine rimantadine or oseltamirvir (antiviral drugs)

12)Treatment:
A)Only temporary relief of symptoms
B) Amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir or zanamavir within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/128/116937.htm?z=1020_00000_6698_f2_01

GOOD LUCK!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! Cold and Flu Basics - Cold and Flu Center - Gocoldflu.info
How to recognize the symptoms of cold and flu, which treatments work best, and advice on staying healthy during cold and flu season

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