Cold & Flu Diagnosis

It may be difficult to tell the difference between the cold and the flu. While closely related and sharing many of the same symptoms, the cold and the flu are two different conditions.

Significance

• Cold symptoms, as a rule, are less severe than flu symptoms. A cold and its symptoms may develop slowly, while the flu can appear suddenly.

Cold Symptoms

• A cold can be diagnosed by the presence of a stuffy or runny nose (green or yellow discharge), fever up to 102 degrees, headache, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, sneezing, general achiness and tiredness.

Flu Symptoms

• The flu is often accompanied by a fever greater than 102 degrees, nausea, chills, sweats, stuffy nose, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, headache and loss of appetite.

Causes

• Viruses cause both a cold and the flu. Over 200 viruses can cause a cold, however, not as many are responsible for the flu. That is why flu shots exist and there are none for colds.

Treatment

• Both a cold and the flu respond to rest, drinking plenty of liquids, saline nose drops and gargling warm salt water. Antibiotics may shorten the flu's duration and lessen its severity.

Warning

• A doctor should be called if a fever over 103 degrees is present, if breathing is troubled, fast, and irregular, if skin is bluish, if there is nausea and abdominal pain, ear pain or discharge is present, any change in mental state and if symptoms persist for more than ten days.