What Actually Is The Flu Or Influenza? What’s The Difference Between The Flu And The Common Cold?
Influenza is a different type of virus to the cold. Both are virus’s and produce very similar symptoms because the typical symptoms of a virus are caused by the body’s attempt to eradicate the virus.
The main difference is that the cold is centred in the nostrils and usually does not persist for more than 5 days. The flu effects the whole of the body and can be more serious. The flu also progresses more abruptly than the Cold virus.
When the body is infected with the flu virus, it typically produces a higher grade fever than a cold. The flu also causes more respiratory problems than the common cold,- The virus can can basically settle anywhere in the respiratory tract, producing symptoms of croup, bronchitis, ear infection, throat infections and/or pneumonia.
The big difference of course is that the flu virus is preventable with yearly vaccinations.
Related posts:
- What Are The Symptomatic Differences Between A Common Cold And Influenza?
- Is Tamiflu Useful For The Common Cold?
- How Do You Tell The Difference Between Influenza And A Bad Cold?
- What Is The Difference Between Influenza And Common Cold?
- Has Anybody Any Advise On What To Expect,or Whats To Happen Regarding Me Going Cold Turkey On Tramadol?
Symptom Cold Flu
Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
the flu is a virus that harms your immune system,(your immune system is a defense used by your body to keep you healthy, meaning your immune system helps kill the virus) . a cold is not a virus and is not severe like a flu.
flu and colds are cause by different types of pathogen
difference is the symptoms of flu are alot more severe: increased temp, no runny nose but a dry cough, burning eyes, loss of apetite, chills and muscle soreness
influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus. sometimes, the flu can cause nausea and vomiting, whereas the common cold cannot.
the flu cause u to feel achey and sometimes nauseas. You dont feel like you can move. with a cold, it is more sniffles n run-down.
I had the flu over christmas! Not nice!
Leigh
x
Flu = virus.
Cold = bacteria.
Those are the basics.
Flu is more severe and you run a fever. There will also be vomiting and diarrhea with the flu.
When you get the flu, you KNOW you have more than just the common cold!