HEALTHY LIVING

Cold or Flu?

It's mid-winter and you're feeling some familiar symptoms: aches, a fever and cough, fatigue, the feeling that someone is sitting on your chest - and all of it coming on in a matter of hours. You think it might be the flu, but you're not sure. After all, your co-worker said she had just gotten over a nasty cold where she described some of the same symptoms you've got. How can you know if it's a cold or the flu?

The cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different types of viruses. Flu symptoms usually appear quickly (within 3-6 hours) and consist of a fever, body aches, dry cough, and extreme tiredness. Cold symptoms are less severe; most people experience a stuffy nose, hacking cough, slight tiredness and limited body aches.
Both colds and flu can be prevented - though in decidedly different ways. While colds are best prevented through diligent hygiene, the flu shot can be an effective way to avoid getting the flu virus. If you do succumb, the flu can be treated with options ranging from antiviral medications to over-the-counter medicines, whereas you're limited to over-the-counter treatments for a cold. Medical experts agree that antibiotics don't work for either flu or cold.

And, contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as the "stomach flu." It's most likely viral gastroenteritis...read more