Do a flu and a cold cause the same symptoms

 Do the flu and a cold cause the same symptoms

Do the flu and a hard reason the same symptoms

Colds and flu are two of the most frequent illnesses in our daily lives. In fact, three out of four Worlds claim to suffer from one of these conditions at least once a year; In fact, one in five Worlds (20.6%) claims to suffer from them three or more times a year, with young people suffering the most colds per year, as shown in the III Cinfasalud Study "Perception and habits of the World population in around the cold and flu.”

 

What is a cold and what causes it?

The common cold or catarrh is an acute infection of the upper respiratory tract that often causes inflammation of the nose, sinuses, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. However, it does not produce a high fever. Currently, it is the most widespread mild disease in the world.

 

The origin of the cold is usually viral; in fact, there are more than 200 types of the virus responsible for this pathology, although the rhinovirus family predominates, which is also the most common pathogen in humans.

 

What is the flu and what causes it?

Influenza is also an acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract, but in its case, it is caused by the influenza virus and mainly affects the upper respiratory tract. There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C.

 

·        Virus A is characteristically present in epidemic forms (the spread of this viral infection affects a large group of the population within the same country), although pandemics can sometimes occur (due to infection with a new virus or mutation of an existing one, extending to a large population group and covering several countries).

·        The B virus causes sporadic forms and small epidemics.

·        Virus C is of less epidemiological importance and causes minor infections.

 

What factors influence the incidence of cold and flu?

With the arrival of the cold and in the winter months, cases of colds and flu among the population increase, due to three fundamental factors:

 

·        Exposure to cold produces a decrease in the defensive capacity of the mucous membranes of the upper airways, making them more vulnerable.

·        It is when the best conditions of temperature and humidity are given for the survival of the viruses of these pathologies.

·        The cold motivates people to spend more time indoors, which, indirectly, favors contagion between them.

 

What are the main cold symptoms?

Cold symptoms are benign and usually appear progressively:

 

·        sneezing.

·        Fluid, watery and abundant mucus.

·        Itchy throat.

·        General discomfort.

·        Mild or moderate tiredness.

·        Crying eyes.

·        Nasal congestion.  This is one of the main symptoms and consists of the obstruction of the nasal passages, which occurs when the mucosa or internal part of the nose becomes inflamed, in response to the attack of viruses and bacteria. This generates the uncomfortable feeling of stuffiness in the nose, which can make breathing difficult, especially at night or when lying down; cause snoring, and accentuate the loss of appetite.

 

And what are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu is characterized by starting with a high fever, muscle aches, and general malaise.

 

Its incubation period is shorter than in the common cold, between 18 and 36 hours, approximately, and its symptoms persist for seven to ten days. The fever usually lasts three to five days, although other discomforts last longer, such as general malaise and muscle aches, which can last for another week or two.

 

If something characterizes the influenza virus, it is its high contagion capacity; Every year it usually affects between 10% and 20% of the population. This is due, to a large extent, to the fact that this microorganism is transmitted quickly between people: with just a few droplets of saliva that are expelled when speaking, coughing, or sneezing, as well as by contact with objects contaminated by this virus.

 

The flu virus is generally deployed in the winter season, predominating in November to March, and in an epidemic manner, that is, every year we are faced with a season in which great activity and circulation of air can take place. virus.

 

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

It is important that when we begin to feel discomfort, headache, throat, cough..., we try to identify if it is a simple cold or if, on the contrary, it is the flu, since although both pathologies may have similar symptoms, they present treatments and different potential complications.

 

The flu differs from the cold in some points:

 

·        Sudden onset of high fever, between 38ºC and 40ºC.

·        Muscle pain, especially in the legs and back.

·        Headache.

·        Intense tiredness, weakness, and general malaise.

·        The flu can be potentially serious, since it can present complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia which, in certain risk groups (asthmatics, the elderly, children...), can have a serious prognosis.

 

 

Who do these pathologies affect?

As we have mentioned, the flu and colds are very common diseases among the general population. According to the III CinfaSalud Study "Perception and habits of the World population regarding colds and flu", one of the groups most likely to suffer from this type of pathology are young people between the ages of 18 and 24: 1 in 4 suffer more of three colds a year. On the contrary, this incidence is reduced after the age of 55, since 1 in 3 people of this age state that they rarely suffer from colds.

 

How can they be prevented?

The key to preventing colds and flu is keeping your immune system in peak condition. For this, the guidelines are clear:

 

·        Sleep a minimum of seven hours a day for our body to recover properly.

·        Reduce stress.

·        Maintain a   varied and balanced diet, with a correct supply of vitamins and minerals.

·        Practice sports regularly.

·        Be careful with sudden changes in temperature and wrap up against the cold. Special attention must be paid to areas with drafts, or excessive use of heating or air conditioning.

·        In groups considered at risk, or prone to complications in case of flu, it is recommended to get vaccinated annually against the flu. This applies to people over 65, pregnant, chronically ill or children over 6 years of age -, and to people in contact with these high-risk groups - health and care professionals, family members, or people who live in the home of these groups. , teachers or caregivers of the elderly-, since they can transmit it to them.

 

How to avoid contagion?

The key to preventing colds and caregivers of the elderly-, that they can transmit it to them.

 

Currently, there is no effective treatment to cure or prevent colds, but only specific treatments to alleviate symptoms. For this reason, the only effective way to escape this disease is to prevent contagion, which usually occurs through the spread of viruses through the air and through contaminated objects.

 

Therefore, some basic hygiene measures will help us, to a great extent, to avoid them. These are hygienic habits that we must apply in our day to day, but in these situations, they become especially important as preventive measures.

 

·        First of all, we must wash our hands with soap frequently, emphasizing the area under the nails, where dirt can accumulate.

·        We will avoid touching our eyes, nose, or mouth excessively, so as not to "push" germs into our body.

·        It is also necessary to cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when we cough or sneeze so that the germs that we expel with saliva do not reach other people or objects. If we do not have a handkerchief, we will better use the elbow or forearm, never the hand, to avoid spreading the virus later through contact.

·        We should not share food, glasses, cutlery, handkerchiefs, towels, or other objects with sick people, since viruses can also be transmitted through them.

·        Since viruses are also transmitted through the air, it is recommended to frequently ventilate rooms and closed spaces, to avoid their concentration.

 

If someone in the family or someone close to us is affected, we must take these measures even further and try to avoid excessive contact with them during the first two or four days of the process, when the risk of contagion is greater.

 

What treatments are there?

To alleviate and reduce annoying cold symptoms, we can resort to various treatments that will help us feel better while the body fights viruses:

 

·        We can resort to painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs  (paracetamol, metamizole, or ibuprofen) to relieve headaches or body aches. There are also specific medications for colds and flu that combine antihistamines to reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa, relieving runny nose and congestion. These should always be consumed under the recommendation and supervision of a health professional, either a doctor or a pharmacist.

·        To relieve nasal congestion, it is recommended to carry out nasal washes with saline solution, salt water, or seawater, which help to wash away secretions and humidify the mucous membranes. Additionally, to quickly treat your symptoms, we can use nasal or oral decongestants, either in the form of tablets, syrups, or sprays, but always with the doctor's or pharmacist's recommendation, and take them for a few days.

·        Coughing is another of the untimely reactions that appear in colds and flu. It is a natural defense mechanism of the body that allows it to expel both the microorganisms that enter the respiratory tract and the mucus secreted by the bronchi, but it can also be a defense mechanism against irritation of the upper respiratory tract. First of all, we must identify the type of cough that affects us to choose the best treatment to alleviate it. The two main classes are:

·        Dry or unproductive cough. It is irritative and without segregation of phlegm, which occurs when the respiratory tract is irritated. Treatment for this type of cough should be aimed at calming and limiting it. The most indicated is an antitussive treatment  (syrups or tablets).

·        Soft or productive cough.  It can appear in the evolution of the cold. In this case, the important thing is not to eliminate the cough but to resort to treatments that promote the expulsion of secretions or phlegm, to free the airways. Expectorants serve this purpose by helping to thin mucus so that it can be more easily coughed up. However, in these situations, a doctor should be consulted.

·        Sore throats can be treated with melt-in-your-mouth lozenges, candies, or sprays. To reduce the sore throat, we can also resort to an analgesic.

·        Finally, it is essential to remember that antibiotics are not recommended in these cases,  since flu and colds are caused by viruses, and not bacteria, they are not effective in curing them. In addition, using them without medical indication and incorrectly or frequently can make bacteria resistant to them. This implies that when we really need them to treat a disease, they may not have any effect. For this reason, antibiotics are only indicated to address complications (sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis, pneumonia, etc.) that are caused by bacteria, and always under medical supervision and prescription.

 

What complications can come with a cold or the flu?

Due to the discomfort of its symptoms, the flu and colds are two of the conditions that cause the most medical consultations in our country and one of the main causes of absenteeism from work and school, due to their negative effect on people's quality of life. who suffer from them.

 

In addition, these diseases can lead to other more severe disorders. Thus, in colds, the decrease in the patient's defenses favors the growth and proliferation of certain bacteria, and respiratory infections can occur in the lower respiratory tract ( pneumonia,  bronchitis ) and upper respiratory tract  (pharyngitis, sinusitis ). ,  ear infections ).

 

For its part, the flu has a high risk of complications that appear more frequently in risk groups: the elderly, debilitated people, pregnant women, and children under two years of age. Among the most common,  pneumonia stands out,  which can be induced by the virus itself or by a subsequent bacterial superinfection. There may also be episodes of exacerbation of asthma or inflammation of the muscles of the body that causes pain when moving ( myositis). Likewise, if the patient suffers from a previous chronic disease, the flu can act as a trigger to aggravate the situation, generating, for example, heart failure, kidney failure, an exacerbation of COPD, etc.

 

In some cases, these flu-associated complications can lead to hospitalization and, in very extreme situations, can even be fatal. According to the Influenza Study Group (GEG), between 40,000 and 220,000 people per year die for this reason in Europe alone, and in World, it is estimated that there are between 1,500 and 4,000 deaths per year associated with this pathology. Therefore, this disease is considered one of the most significant and frequent causes of morbidity and mortality.

 

10 Tips to Prevent and Relieve Cold and Flu Symptoms

1. Rest as much as possible.

Sleeping the necessary hours allows the body to regain strength, especially if a fever occurs.

2. Be cautious with the cold and humidity.

Since the viruses that cause colds and flu prefer low temperatures and humidity, avoid these environments, as well as sudden changes in temperature and excessively cold drinks.

3. Wash your hands frequently.

It should be done with soap and water for at least fifteen seconds, paying special attention to the area between the fingers and under the nails. In addition, it is convenient to use antibacterial products to clean the surfaces of the house.

4. Include vitamins and minerals in the diet.

Fruits and vegetables are a source of vitamins and minerals that help develop defenses, so boosting them in the diet will facilitate recovery.

5. Drink lots of fluids.

This help clears up mucus, prevent dehydration, and soothe a sore throat. For example, you can drink plenty of water, juices, and soups that are not too hot. Instead, alcoholic beverages should be avoided.

6. Quit smoking and avoid smoky environments.

Tobacco irritates the throat and mucous membranes even more.

7. Perform aspirations of water with salt or eucalyptus vapors.

In the case of young children, nasal washing with physiological saline is recommended fifteen minutes before meals and before going to sleep. In this way, they will be able to rest better.

8. Gargle with hot water with lemon and honey.

Its emulsifying action soothes sore throats. Despite popular belief, it is preferable to use water instead of milk with honey, since dairy products can increase mucus.

9. Consult the healthcare professional and avoid self-medication.

It is essential to have the advice of the pharmacist or doctor when resorting to anti-flu, decongestants, or analgesics that alleviate the symptoms of these conditions.

10. Do not resort to antibiotics.

In addition to the fact that they are not effective against colds and flu, since these are caused by viruses and not bacteria, using them incorrectly or frequently can make the body resistant to them.