When the winter season begins it is very common to "catch" some of the conditions that tend to abound at this time of year and I am sure that many times you have asked yourself if what afflicts you is a flu or a common cold , although it is of a large scale. In Supercurioso we have researched and found several studies on the subject that can help differentiate them. Do you know how to distinguish a cold from a flu? We tell you!
Distinguish a cold from a flu
Sore throat, a nose that drips like a faucet, sneezing and the feeling of being absolutely annihilated and not wanting anything but to lie down, sleep and wait for all that to happen, does not allow us to distinguish a cold of a flu. Let's see how we can do it:
1. The first factor that we think in general that can help us differentiate them is the existence or not of fever . However, doctors say that there are cases of influenza that run without a fever, so it is not an absolutely decisive factor, although it does tip the scales in the peak of the flu from November to March.
2. One of the questions that allow us to distinguish them is the way in which the condition has begun. Colds usually take days to reach their peak and discomfort builds up, but the flu usually appears abruptly . In a very short space of time, the patient goes from being well to feeling very sick.
3. The third difference that doctors point out is that the cold usually lasts between 3 and 5 days and the flu It usually lasts twice as long.
4. Headache and body aches and pains are more common among those with the flu than with a cold.
5. The dry cough is more common in the flu, while the one that with mucus and nasal secretions is typical of colds.
6. Doctors point out that in children, diarrhea, stomach pains and other gastrointestinal symptoms usually appear in both cases, but this is not common in adults, so it can not help distinguish a cold from the flu. If an adult has these symptoms, it is as likely as possible to have a stomach virus or some pathology transmitted by some food.
7. Professionals also point out that The time of year It is also a factor to take into account to know if we have the flu or a cold. The latter are more common in the early fall and spring, although it is true that they occur throughout the year. The flu is usually limited to the winter period.
8. Analyzing both diseases under a microscope clearly shows their differences. The flu is transmitted by two families of viruses, A and B. Within these groups there is a great variation, which is why each year the vaccine must vary and sometimes it is not as effective as the health professionals expect. The cold is caused by more than 200 subtypes of respiratory viruses, among which are rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, etc. and each of them gives different symptoms and can be more or less severe.
These notes can help us distinguish a cold from a flu , although the professionals point out that, in the cold season, it is very difficult to do so. Do you know any difference that can help us differentiate them? Share it with us! If you are worried about this topic, you may want to read How to avoid the flu? Apparently we do it wrong .