Flu is common a viral infection. Physicians suggest symptomatic cold and flu treatment for common cold symptoms. Read further about flu treatment at Meri Sehat.

Cold & Flu

Cold And Flu

Online Consultation

Ismail Munir

Overview

The common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat that can be caused by more than 200 types of viruses<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. Healthy adults can expect to get sick with the common cold 2 to 3 times a year. Whereas, infants may get sick more frequently because they don&rsquo;t have immunity against several viruses till they are 2 years old. However, once you are affected by the cold virus, you get immune to it. The hallmark signs of a common cold are a stuffy or runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, and sneezing. Similarly, since the common cold occurs so frequently, most people quickly recognize the early symptoms.&nbsp;

 
The most common viruses that cause the common cold are rhinoviruses. These viruses may cause sore throat, and sinus and ear infections. Though less common, the virus may also cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Colds and flu share the same set of symptoms. Therefore, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them, based on symptoms alone.&nbsp;

Flu (influenza) and the common cold are both contagious illnesses of the respiratory tract caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by the influenza virus, whereas the common cold can be caused by several different viruses such as the rhinoviruses and seasonal coronaviruses; not to be confused with the SARS-COV-2 virus caused by&nbsp;<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/covid-19">COVID-19</a>. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the two based on symptoms alone, but generally, the symptoms of the flu are more severe than the common cold and also begin more abruptly. Contrastingly, colds are generally milder than flu and do not result in any serious health problems, such as bacterial infections, <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/pneumonia">pneumonia</a>, and hospitalization. But the flu can cause these serious complications.&nbsp;

 
The viruses that cause the common cold and flu can easily spread from one person to another through airborne droplets and via contaminated surfaces. Studies have shown that many of these viruses can live on surfaces for several days. Thus, the virus can transfer if you touch a surface harboring the virus and then touch your nose or mouth without washing your hands. Thereby, making you sick. However, if your body has already encountered the exact strain of the virus, you are already immune to it, and it will successfully fight it off. The cold virus attaches to the lining of the nose or throat and results in inflammation, in addition to causing excessive mucus production.&nbsp;

 
There is a common misconception that the common cold is caused because of the chilly weather or iced drinks. In reality, it is dry and cold weather that dries the lining of the nose and throat. Thus, making it easier for the virus to attach to the lining of the nose and throat. Certain factors, such as stress and a history of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/allergies">allergies</a> increase the risk of catching a common cold because of weaker immunity. Similarly, children are also more likely to get infected, because their bodies are not immune to various strains of the virus, and they are prone to touching virus-infested surfaces at school and other public spaces such as playgrounds.

&nbsp;

There are different viruses that cause the common cold, including:

<ul>
	<li>Rhinovirus &ndash; The rhinovirus causes 10% to 40% of colds and is most active during the early fall, spring, and summer months.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Coronavirus &ndash; There are 30 different kinds of coronaviruses, but only 3 to 4 affect people and cause about 20% of colds.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>RSV And Parainfluenza &ndash; The viruses cause about 20% of colds and may lead to severe infections such as pneumonia in young children.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

There are 4 different types of influenza viruses:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Human Influenza Viruses A And B cause seasonal epidemics or the flu season. Influenza A viruses are also known to cause global epidemics of flu disease.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Influenza C virus causes mild infections that do not cause any human epidemics.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Influenza D virus primarily affects cattle, and to date, there have been no cases of animal-to-human transmission 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Signs and Symptoms

Both flu and the common cold initially present with a runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing. However, the cold develops slowly, whereas the flu comes on suddenly. The symptoms of a cold generally appear 3 days after exposure to the virus and include:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Runny or stuffy nose&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sore throat&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/whopping-cough">Cough</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Chest congestion&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Body aches, mild headache&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sneezing&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Low-grade fever</li>
	<li>An overall feeling of being unwell&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

Common signs and symptoms of flu include: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Fever&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Muscle aches&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Chills and sweats&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/migraines-73">Headache&nbsp;</a></li>
	<li>Dry, chronic cough&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Fatigue and weakness&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Shortness of breath&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Runny and stuffy nose&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sore throat&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Eye pain&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Diarrhoea&nbsp;and vomiting 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Causes

Cold and flu are both contagious illnesses caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by the <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/influenza-116">influenza virus</a>, whereas the common cold can be caused by rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, and season coronaviruses.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Diagnosis

The symptoms of a cold are usually milder than the symptoms of flu and may include a runny and stuffy nose. Generally, the common cold is not a serious health concern. Whereas, the symptoms of flu include fever, chills, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, and muscle or body aches with fatigue. It is possible to tell whether you have a cold or flu based on the symptoms alone.&nbsp;

 
There are currently no diagnostic tests for the common cold, but the flu virus can be detected with several tests. The most common test is the &ldquo;rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs). The test works by detecting antigens, a part of the virus that causes the immune system to produce antibodies against it. However, the test is not as accurate as other tests, such as the &ldquo;rapid molecular assay&rdquo; that detects the genetic material of the flu virus. In addition, there are other accurate flu tests available that are performed in hospitals or laboratories. These include reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence, and viral culture.

&nbsp;

Treatment

There are no medicines that can cure a cold or flu. However, several over-the-counter medications can help ease the discomfort caused by the symptoms. Colds and flu are caused by viruses that cannot be treated by antibiotics. Antibiotics are used for the treatment of bacterial infections, for example, urinary tract infections, strep throat, and ear and skin infections. The incorrect use of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance and make them less effective for infections they are supposed to treat.

The symptoms of colds and flu can be eased with the following over-the-counter medications:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Analgesics including paracetamol, ibuprofen, or naproxen to reduce fever and pain. Aspirin should be avoided because it increases the risk of developing Reye&rsquo;s syndrome, which causes blood sugar levels to drop, and the levels of acidity and ammonia to increase in the blood. This may cause swelling in the liver and brain resulting in seizures, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Antihistamines can reduce the symptoms associated with cold and flu, such as runny nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes, and sneezing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Oral Decongestants can be used to relieve a stuffy and clogged nose. However, pregnant women with uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid taking these drugs.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Nasal Steroids to relieve sinus pressure and a runny nose.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Expectorants for loosening cough/mucus production to make blowing the nose easier.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Antitussives to reduce coughing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Lozenges Or Gargling With Warm Salt Water a few times a day to relieve sore throat. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

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The common cold is generally harmless. Whereas, the most common complications of flu include: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Viral or bacterial pneumonia&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Dehydration&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/ear-infection">Ear infection</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="http://merisehat.pk/disease/asthma">Asthma</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sinus infections&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The flu can worsen long-term medical conditions, such as: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/congenital-heart-diseases">Congestive heart failure</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Asthma&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/diabetes-type-1-and-2">Diabetes</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Muscle inflammation or myositis&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Problems with the central nervous system 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

There are a few factors that increase the risk of getting a cold and flu, these include:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Age; infants and children are at a higher risk of getting infected&nbsp;because of their time in school and daycare.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Weak immune system because of a chronic illness also increases the risk of contracting the virus.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Colds and flu are more common in the fall and winter months.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Smoking can cause more severe symptoms.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Exposure to large crowds at school or an airplane can expose you to viruses that cause colds and flu. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year as the virus is constantly mutating. Though there is currently no vaccine for the common cold and the only way to prevent it is by following certain precautions:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap is not available, sanitise&nbsp;your hands with a sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol. In addition, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Disinfect commonly touched surfaces, for example, kitchen countertops, electronics, light switches, and doorknobs. Wash children&rsquo;s toys. All of this is especially necessary if someone in your house has a cold or flu.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sneeze and cough into a tissue, and throw away the used tissue right away. If you don&rsquo;t have a tissue, cough into the bend of your elbow and wash your hands.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&rsquo;t share eating utensils and drinking glasses with other family members. Sick people should use their own glass or disposable cups.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Avoid close contact with people who have a cold. When possible, avoid crowds.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Eat healthy foods, exercise, and get enough <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/sleep-apnea-91">sleep</a>. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>The common cold and flu are viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, or the nose and throat.</li>
	<li>The viruses that cause the common cold and flu can easily spread from one person to another through airborne droplets and via contaminated surfaces.</li>
	<li>The symptoms of a cold are usually milder than the symptoms of the flu and may include a runny and stuffy nose. The common cold is not generally a serious health concern.</li>
	<li>The best way to prevent the flu is by&nbsp;vaccinating&nbsp;each year as the virus is constantly mutating. There is currently no vaccine for the common cold; the only way to prevent it is by following precautions. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>