Which is More Common: Cold or the Flu?
Both respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms but there are apparent differences to know about. You can wake up with a sore throat, runny nose, and cough and ask yourself whether you have a common cold or the flu. These illnesses both cause respiratory infections but talking about the flu in particular which is caused by different viruses that are influenza A and influenza B. It can be tricky to tell the cold and the flu apart due to the symptoms but it is best to know the symptoms beforehand since they are both contagious.
What is more common for any individual to get contracted is the common cold due to there being over two hundred different types of viruses that can be the cause of it. While the cold is more common, getting the flu is more severe since if the symptoms are not treated appropriately then you can be affected more severely since it is a respiratory infection. Symptoms of the flu can come about faster than the common cold and can be more severe if not treated properly. For the flu, it is advisable to get your flu shot and for you and your family to stay protected during any flu outbreaks. You can get your flu shots done with our experienced pharmacists at Medicare Plus Pharmacy.
What are the 4 Stages of the Cold?
The common cold being more common for anyone to get can often last for up to three weeks at most. The cold symptoms can take around 1 -3 days to develop in a person but usually do go away on their own. This all depends on the person’s immune system and how it would react to a virus entering the body. Getting the common cold can seem slightly unpredictable but it usually shows up in certain stages at a time. This can help see how you or a loved one might be contagious for in stages.
Days 1 – 2: You will feel fine and no symptoms would show but the progression of the cold is taking place in your body at this stage.
Days 2 – 3: During this stage, you might start to feel uneasy or tired and even sneeze a few times. There may be a body ache or even a soreness in your throat. From here, the symptoms start taking an effect on your body and it is time to rest up.
Days 4 – 6: From this stage, you will develop a cough while the other symptoms may fade at times. By this time, your cold should no longer be a trouble since your immune system is fighting it off.
Days 7 – 10: At this point, your cold should be starting to wear off and you would be feeling better if you are taking any over-the-counter products since a common cold typically lasts for 7 – 10 days.
How to Tell the Difference Between the Flu and Cold
Tellling the difference between the common cold and the flu can be confusing at times since they do have similar symptoms which is a cough, runny nose and sore throat. Depending on how a person’s immune system is, then these symptoms can have a different affect on their body since one symptom can have more of an affect than the other. Due to this, it can be impossible to tell the difference between either of the respiratory infections.
Flu symptoms can have an effect faster and can at times be more severe as well than the cold symptoms. Anyone who does get the cold or flu can recover with no issues but the one which can cause serious health problems such as pneumonia is the flu. Experts advise on getting your flu shot, especially for during the season when the symptoms can have an affect on your body. The cold usually starts with a sore throat, sneezing and a cough and at times, a fever may develop. However, one of the most common symptoms of the flu is developing a fever that can last for several days.
Some of these symptoms can settle within a couple of days but if they get severe, then it is advised to schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can conduct different tests to see which virus has affected your immune system and you won’t have to question if you have the common cold or the flu. Don’t wait any longer when the flu season comes around, you can get your flu shots and any other medications for the common cold from Medicare Plus Pharmacy…