20 January 2024 , 15:00
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It's flu season and that means many of us are curled up in bed with a box of tissues and a hot water bottle.
No one likes coming down with a cold, and in the winter months, your chances of catching any of the common viruses - including a cold, the flu, and even Covid - are increased. At this time of year, the phrase "cold and flu" is used regularly to describe illnesses people spread, but what actually is the difference between them? They share many of the same symptoms, so how do you know which one you've got when you fall ill?
What is flu?
Flu, short for influenza, is a common infectious viral illness. NHS Inform states that although you can catch flu all year round, it's especially common in the winter and is therefore sometimes known as seasonal flu.
The website also states that flu isn't something your body can build up resistance to because the virus changes regularly, meaning your body can't learn to resist new versions that it hasn't faced before.
How long does it last?
The symptoms of flu usually develop between one and three days after you've become infected. Most people will feel better within a week, but you might have a lingering cough and feel tired for a few weeks after the rest of your symptoms have improved. According to the NHS, there are some things you can do to help you get better more quickly. These include:
Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
Symptoms of the flu
Flu symptoms are similar to other illnesses like a common cold, and can include a dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose. However, other symptoms can develop too, such as a fever, an aching body, and even diarrhoea. Symptoms of flu include:
- a sudden high temperature
- tiredness and weakness
- a headache
- general aches and pains
- a dry, chesty cough
- sore throat
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
- chills
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
Most people will not need to see a doctor for flu, however the NHS recommends seeking a GP appointment or calling 111 if: you're 65 or over, you're pregnant, you have a long-term medical condition, you have a weakened immune system, or your symptoms do not improve after seven days.
In some extreme circumstances, you may need to go to A&E or call 999. The NHS states you should do this if you: get sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing, or start coughing up a lot of blood.
What is the difference between the flu and a cold?
Both the flu and a cold are contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. According to the CDC - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US - the flu can only be caused by influenza viruses, whereas a cold can come from different viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses.
The main way you can tell the difference between the two illnesses is through the severity of symptoms. The CDC states: "In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are typically more intense and begin more abruptly. Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose than people who have flu."
You are also more likely to develop health problems such as pneumonia as a result of catching the flu, which is why those over 65 and those with other health conditions are offered a flu vaccine every year by the NHS.
For more information about the flu, visit the NHS website or the NHS Inform topic page.