One morning you wake up sneezing, coughing and have that dreaded feeling and you can’t move a muscle. How do you know whether you have the cold or the flu?
Both the common cold and the flu are viral infections of mainly the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, nose, airways and lungs.
It is of importance to know the differences between a cold and the flu although they share similar symptoms.
Cold symptoms can make you feel unwell for a couple of days however flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days up to a few weeks.
The symptoms of a cold include mild fever, runny or stuffy nose (often with green or yellow-coloured mucus), a sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes and a headache.
Cold symptoms generally are milder than flu symptoms and appear slowly.
Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and can include a high fever, stuffy nose, chills and sweats, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, headache and loss of appetite.
There is no get-well-quick pill, you will have to treat your symptoms while your body fights off the virus.
Dr’s Prescription –
* Get plenty of rest.
* Avoid smoking including secondhand smoke, as they can make cold symptoms worse.
* Drink lots of fluids, they are also important because they help prevent dehydration.
* Avoid alcohol.
Consult your doctor for a proper examination, diagnosis and treatment. Remember to get your annual flu vaccine.
Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, AQH Medical Centre 189 Columbine Ave 0119414153 www.aqh.co.za
