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How not to mistake the flu for a cold?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Sometimes, we fall asleep in perfect health, and the next morning we can wake up completely exhausted, with a runny nose, fever and cough. These are the symptoms of flu … Stop! Or maybe it’s a cold?
It is very important to know the difference between the symptoms of flu and a cold. Very often we call a cold the flu and vice versa, without even suspecting what we are actually sick with. These two diseases have a lot in common. Both are respiratory diseases, and their pathogens are viruses. Despite the fact that the symptoms are very similar, the ailments are treated differently.
Symptoms of a cold
- Runny nose;
- Cough;
- Stuffy nose;
- Sore throat;
- Low temperature (37°-38°C)
Symptoms of flu
- Body aches;
- Weakness;
- Chills;
- High temperature (more than 38°C)
Or maybe it's an allergy?
It also happens that a person develops an allergy. There is no fever, the body does not ache, but there is only a runny nose and itchy eyes. This is indeed an allergic reaction. However, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish an allergy from a cold, because allergy sufferers catch colds more often than others.
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How to treat colds?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to vaccinate against a cold, because in order to develop such a vaccine, scientists need to study 250 viruses that cause it. Cold symptoms can only be alleviated. Of course, to begin with, limit your consumption of coffee and carbonated drinks, which dehydrate the body. Drink more water and try to eat, even if you don’t feel like eating. Chicken broth will help you.
Should the temperature be brought down?
Temperature is a reaction of our body, which throws all its forces into protection from illness, and if it is brought down, then the weapon will be laid down. However, the exception is the elderly, small children, heart patients, and people with diseased lungs.
How to protect yourself during epidemics?
Vitamin C can be used as a preventative measure to shorten the duration of a cold, but it will not help protect against it. The best thing is to strengthen the immune system. Green vegetables, such as spinach, which is rich in vitamins A and C, will be excellent allies, and salmon is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are so necessary for fighting inflammation. Low-fat yogurt acts as an immune system stimulant.
Antibiotics and colds
Many people, having discovered the first symptoms of a cold, grab antibiotics, hoping to eradicate the disease instantly and irrevocably. However, antibiotics are effective only against bacteria. The doctor prescribes them if the cold has led to an infection of the nasal sinuses, which has led to sinusitis, maxillary sinusitis or otitis.
Is a cold a consequence of hypothermia?
This is another common myth about colds. Colds are viruses, and hypothermia can only negatively affect a weakened immune system.