What’s the difference between the common cold and the flu?

Winter.

Ergh.

You might be getting sick… Maybe you’re sneezing heaps or you’ve got the sniffles… 

Perhaps you have a chesty cough and a fever?

Well, for you to be able to tell the different between having the common cold virus or something more serious, here are the facts:

 

THE COMMON COLD

Do you know that adults are likely to get this virus between two and four times a year? That’s a lot.

It’s easy to spread through shaking hands with someone with a cold, even touching a doorknob or a keyboard, then touching your eyes, mouth and nose afterwards. 

You know you have a cold when you’ve got a sore throat, a headache, when you’re coughing and sneezing, you have the sniffles/runny nose, blocked nose and maybe a slight fever and you’re a bit lethargic. Green or yellow mucus is a good sign you’re sick – this is a sign that your body is fighting the infection – NOT a sign that you are getting worse, don’t stress!

If you have the common cold, stay home from work/school, drink heaps of water and keep your body warm. Also, WASH YOUR HANDS.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and don’t share cutlery/cups.

THE FLU

The flu… Or properly addressed “influenza” is a virus that impacts the bronchial tubes, the lungs as well as the throat and nose.

The symptoms of the flu are much more severe than the common cold, and they last much longer.

If you get a fever of over 38.5, a headache, a runny or blocked nose, coughing, lethargy and joint/muscle pain, this is the flu. You may also lose your appetite and get a upset tummy, vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

The tiredness and cough can last up to three weeks, which is super annoying.

If you come down with the flu, drink heaps of water, rest up and stay warm – much like the cold. 

 

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