Difference between cold and flu pdf

Difference between cold and flu chart in the wake of flu season, it is really important to know the difference between having the flu and a simple viral cold. They usually last from one to three days, and sometimes you may also get mild fever or feel tired. Although the flu and the common cold both have very similar symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. The difference between seasonal flu and stomach flu. Here, learn about the differences between influenza a and b, including their symptoms and treatments. How to spot the difference between a cold and the flu the viral infections share many symptoms but the flu can be a lot worse. The flu is caused by the influenza virus and symptoms mostly involve the upper respiratory tract. To treat colds or flu, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Mar 29, 2019 how to recognize the difference between a cold and the flu influenza. A virus can also be spread by close contact, such as shaking hands or kissing someone who has a cold. While cold and flu are both infectious viral illnesses, cold symptoms are usually only confined to the nose and head. Cold and flu are usually associated with winter season, and have many symptoms in common. Rarely, symptoms may not be enough for your doctor to know if its a cold or the flu.

Know the difference between a cold and the flu not every infectious disease, such as a cold or the flu, can be treated by your health care provider. Do you know the difference between a cold or the flu. There are a few key differences between the symptoms presented in covid19 and the cold or flu. While a test performed by your doctor is the only surefire way to know whether or not you have a cold or the actual flu. Most people with a cold or flu recover on their own without medical care. To promote awareness of coronaviruscaused symptoms, the cdc has put out this handy shareable flyer pdf, pictured below.

Starting to feel cold, achy, congested, and maybe even nauseous. Get a flu shot getting a flu shot each year is the. How to spot the difference between a cold and the flu. Jun 01, 2016 the best way to decipher between the common cold and flu is recognizing the differences in symptoms. Both these infections have a lot in common and it might actually be difficult sometimes to draw a difference between them. A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new flu a virus in people that is very different from current and recently circulating seasonal flu a viruses. Fever is usually present with h1n1 in up to 80% of all flu cases. While you can have a fever, cough, sneezing, congestion and a sore throat with both, the symptoms tend to be more severe and intense when you have the flu. How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. Before you even know you are sick, you can pass the flu on to others. Differences between cold and flu prevalence in the united states, the cold virus infects about one billion people every year. Jan, 2020 how to spot the difference between a cold and the flu the viral infections share many symptoms but the flu can be a lot worse.

Still, telling the difference between a cold and a flu is difficult and sometimes just plain impossible based on symptoms alone. Check out the chart below, find out which infection you have, and follow the daybyday advice given below. In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms. Unlike the common cold, the onset of symptoms for flu or influenza is very sudden and fast.

There are several differences between the common cold and the flu, including the onset of the condition as influenza is typically more acute in onset and more. How to recognize the difference between a cold and the flu. Symptoms are usually less severe than flu symptoms. Sooner or later, it seems like everybody catches a cold or flu during the school year. H1n1 flu is caused by a new virus that is different from the seasonal flu we usually see each fall and winter. The common symptoms of cold and flu lead to the confusion among these two terms and sometimes flu is neglected mistaking it as a common cold.

Influenza flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu a and b viruses that infect the human respiratory tract. Youll also be able to identify conditions that need medical attention. The flu is very contagious and can spread quickly and easily. Influenza, known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory virus. Many people are wondering what the differences are between seasonal flu and h1n1 flu. But theres a lot of overlap between symptoms of the flu or a cold with those of covid19. Getting sick is just about one of the worst things that can ruin a perfectly good week, but knowing the difference between the flu vs a cold can help ease that moment of dread once you realize that something is invading your body. The seasonal flu is caused by the influenza a, b, and c viruses. Both the common cold and the flu have some similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell the difference between them. B in terms of prevalence, how contagious they are, what the vaccine covers, and severity and recovery. Symptom cold swine flu seasonal flu fever fever is rare with a cold. Jan 15, 2018 the difference between a cold and the flu. Have you ever shown symptoms and wondered whether you have a cold or the flu.

Both cold and the flu are caused by viruses that infect airways. Valdez explained that a big difference between the flu and a cold is that a cold will most likely not give you a high fever andor body aches. They have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell them apart. Though their names are similar, they are actually two completely different and unrelated illnesses. So what is the difference between a cold and the flu and how can you be sure which one you have. Categorized under editor pick,health difference between cold and flu cold vs flu both the flu and the common cold are respiratory illnesses but caused by different pathogens.

Both are viral infections, but flu can be epidemic and pandemic with the potential for mortality. Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be serious. Stomach flu seasonal influenza common cold stomach flu caused by influenza a or influenza b viruses many different kinds of viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, etc. The family of viruses that influenza is a part of is large. How can you tell what youve come down with if youre feeling sick. Explore our cold and flu learning center to get tips on cold and flu symptoms and prevention. The difference is how intense they feel and how common they are. Mar 11, 2020 people often confuse the seasonal flu and stomach flu. Here are some basic guidelines for telling the difference between cold and flu symptoms, and what to do if you have either one of these infections. Department of veterans affairs, veterans health administration, office of public health \b\, infection dont pass it on campaign. Look below to see some differences and similarities between colds and flu. Headache a headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.

Difference between cold and flu compare the difference. In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense. Pdf overview and management of colds and flu researchgate. Influenza rare rare fever headache usual high fever. Difference between cold and flu symptoms can you tell the difference between the symptoms of a common cold and seasonal flu. Dec 30, 2019 what is the difference between a cold and flu. It typically spreads through respiratory droplets when a person who has the flu sneezes or coughs. Common cold vs flu difference and comparison diffen. Understand the differences between cold and flu by considering the facts.

Common cold the common cold viral upper respiratory tract infection is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. In general, symptoms of the flu appear quickly, while symptoms of a cold happen slowly. Their symptoms are similar and so are their effects on the body. Learn about difference between colds and flu and read our advice on how to best prevent. By knowing the various symptoms and home treatment solutions, you can avoid unnecessary visits to the doctor. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Flu is caused by specific influenza viruses and there are several strains that circulate every year. Accurate diagnosis, allows you to take the right medications andor seek the most appropriate medical care if needed. Oklahoma state department of health acute disease service public health fact sheet cold vs. May 29, 2019 whats the difference between a cold and the flu. Heres a helpful list of symptoms to help you understand the difference.

But there are a few distinct differences between a runofthemill cold and the flu. Antibiotics do not work against the viruses that cause colds and the flu. If you want to get over your sickness quickly, then understanding whether you have the flu or food poisoning can help you find the right treatment and avoid more serious health complications. Answer these illnesses are caused by different viruses. So thats great and all, but how can people avoid getting the flu in the first place. Know what to look for and how to help prevent the flu. Not caused by influenza virus norovirus or norwalklike viruses is the most common. Coughing a hacking, productive mucousproducing cough is often present with a cold.

This is because having a cold and having the flu can display similar symptoms. Physically, from the outside view, cold and flu symptoms are very similar. Because of the overlap in symptoms, people often mix up cold and flu. There are steps you can take at home to get over these illnesses. By coming into contact with droplets spread by an infected person. During flu season, you can catch the flu in the same way youd pick up a cold. The key to taking care of yourself is to monitor your symptoms, like your temperature, to make sure that you arent getting worse.

The differences between cold and flu symptoms are often very subtle. The flu is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus, a respiratory virus. But there is one clue about flu that can help you know. For more about when to see a doctor, go to cdcs flu page. However, the cold and flu are caused by different types of viruses. These tiny droplets can spread the virus from person to person. May 11, 2016 getting sick is just about one of the worst things that can ruin a perfectly good week, but knowing the difference between the flu vs a cold can help ease that moment of dread once you realize that something is invading your body. Can you tell the difference between the symptoms of a common cold and seasonal flu. A cold usually lasts about 12 weeks one symptom usually precedes the others, while coughing and sore throat mays persist after others have disappeared fever, headache and throat pain young children may complain of stomach pain rather than throat pain swollen glands in the neck. Youre contagious starting one day before you get sick and up to 5 to 7 days after you show symptoms. Because they can manifest themselves in similar ways, it can be hard to know which ailment you have. Influenza b, one type of influenza virus, is dominating the 20192020 flu season early on.

Staying in bed with a stick under your tongue is one of the least fun ways to spend your day. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks. Norovirus or norwalklike viruses is the most common. In contrast to flu, which is caused by variants of a family of genetically related influenza viruses, the common cold is caused by more than 200 different viruses, many of which are unrelated.

This hilarious flu chart tells you whether you have a. Its important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms. Youre coughing and sneezing, but do you have a cold or the flu. And the flu, especially in children and older people, is more likely to lead to serious health problems such as pneumonia and a hospital stay. Youre feeling sick, with a cough, sore throat, headache and sniffle.

The difference between cold and flu viruses explained. Nevertheless, a table from the cdc provides a more scientific way of distinguishing between the two. A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. Its all about where it hurts and where youve been lately. May 03, 2016 food poisoning and the flu cause many of the same symptoms, but there are differences between the two. We asked jonathan field, director of the allergy and asthma clinic at. These signs often make people wonder if they are witnessing a common cold, or a bout with the flu.

And, this year, in particular, flu is especially prevalent not only here in houston, but is widespread throughout texas and the entire u. Symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms. Difference between cold and flu difference between. How to tell if your symptoms are cold, flu or allergies. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days. In canada, an average of 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths related to the flu occur each year. Dec 18, 2019 cold and the flu are some of the most common infections during winter. Symptom cold seasonal flu fever fever is rare with a cold. Against that, a bout 35 to 50 million people get the flu annually. Knowing the differences between the cold and flu can make treatment easier. Cold and flu season generally peaks during the colder months like january and february. Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. What is the main difference between the flu and a cold.

The cold and flu viruses, both belong to different families. The better you understand the differences between allergies and the flu and cold symptoms, as well as your overall symptoms, the more accurately you will be able to pinpoint your condition. Its often hard to tell the difference between the flu and a cold because the symptoms of both are similar. Colds are very common, and almost everyone is familiar with the symptoms a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, coughing and sneezing 1. But symptoms outside of flu season are more likely to be from a cold or an allergy. The cdc and who have outlines the symptoms of the coronavirus. The following activities will help your students protect themselves from colds and flu. Colds and flu influenza are different illnesses caused by different viruses. The best way to decipher between the common cold and flu is recognizing the differences in symptoms. Knowing these differences may help you avoid a doctors appointment. But check with a health care provider if symptoms last beyond 10 days or if symptoms arent relieved by overthecounter medicines. Rates of medical visits, complications, hospitalizations and death can vary from low to high cdc estimates that flu related hospitalizations since 2010 ranged from 140,000 to 710,000, while flu related deaths are estimated to have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000. Whats the difference between cornavirus, cold and flu. Use this chart to learn the difference between them.