Flu or cold: what’s the difference? (and what to do)

The main difference between the flu and a cold is the intensity of their symptoms and, more technically, the affected area of ​​the airways.

In general, in the flu the symptoms are more intense and in the cold they are milder and last for a shorter period of time. Furthermore, in a cold the affected region is higher up in the lung, whereas in the flu, the entire lung can be affected.

Read too: Cold: symptoms, causes, remedies and treatment

Furthermore, the transmission of flu occurs mainly during the winter and contagion is very easy, just having someone with the flu in a room will quickly cause everyone to become infected with the disease. Understand better how flu is transmitted.

Table of main differences

The table below summarizes the main differences between the flu and a cold:

Similar to the flu and the cold, there is also the flu syndrome, which can be caused by the flu virus, but also by other viruses or bacteria. Its symptoms are similar to those of the flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain and headache.

Although flu-like illness can be treated at home with rest and drinking fluids, there are cases in which symptoms can worsen to a high, persistent fever or difficulty breathing, for example. In these cases, it is recommended to go to the hospital to have a diagnosis made by a general practitioner and start treatment with an antibiotic, if necessary.

Read too: Top 10 flu symptoms (and how to alleviate them)

What to do in case of flu

Flu treatment can be done with medicines prescribed by your doctor, which may include Paracetamol, to reduce fever, and flu medicines such as Cegripe, for example, because they contain substances that help alleviate other symptoms, such as a runny nose. Depending on the duration of the illness and severity, the use of antivirals, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), may be indicated.

Furthermore, it is recommended to rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices, teas or soups. Check out other tips to reduce flu symptoms.

Once the flu virus reaches the lungs, if the person does not undergo any type of treatment, there may be complications such as the development of pneumonia, for example.

What to do if you have a cold

To treat a cold, it may be necessary to take some medicine to decongest the airways, such as an anti-allergic drug, such as Desloratadine, for example.

Taking vitamin C can help strengthen the immune system and fight symptoms faster, so it may be useful to drink orange, pineapple, acerola juice and eat strawberries, for example.

Home remedy for cold and flu

Great home remedies for flu and colds are lemon tea with honey and orange juice with propolis, as they are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help the body recover.

Other important precautions in case of flu or cold are:

• Dress well;
• Keep your feet warm;
• Always wash your hands after sneezing or coughing;
• Place your forearm in front of your mouth whenever you cough or sneeze;
• Avoid closed environments;
• Avoid consuming cold foods;
• Always keep your nose clean and decongested.

These precautions serve, especially, to avoid exposure to sudden changes in temperature.