What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.
How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?
Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offered the following guide to tell the two illnesses apart. They are listed by the symptoms, cold versus the flu.
• Fever – sometimes, usually mild vs. usually, higher (100-102 F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts three to four days)
• Headache – occasionally vs. common
• General aches, pains – slight vs. usual; often severe
• Fatigue, weakness – sometimes vs. usual; can last two to three weeks
• Extreme Exhaustion – Never vs. Usual; at the beginning of the illness
• Stuffy nose – common vs. sometimes
• Sneezing – Usual vs. Sometimes
• Sore throat – common vs. sometimes
• Chest discomfort, cough – mild to moderate; hacking cough vs. common; can become severe
Complications – sinus congestion; middle ear infection vs. sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infection, pneumonia; can be life-threatening
Prevention – wash hands often; avoid close contact with anyone with a cold vs. Wash hands often; avoid close contact with anyone who has flu symptoms; get the annual flu vaccine
Treatment – decongestants; pain reliever/fever reducer medicines vs. decongestants, pain relievers, or fever reducers are available over the counter; over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to young children; prescription antiviral drugs for flu may be given in some cases; call your doctor for more information about treatment.
State health officials are reported that influenza activity is high in Kansas, activity that is echoed in Barton County. This has prompted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Barton County Health Department to encourage everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated, if they have not already done so this season.
Statewide, based on data from the Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network, influenza activity is high and widespread within the state. During the week ending Jan. 10, five percent of outpatient visits to ILINet clinic sites were due to influenza-like illness.
To date, influenza or pneumonia has directly caused or contributed to 510 deaths reported in Kansas during the current influenza season (since Sept. 1, 2013), and among those, three deaths were attributed directly to influenza.
In Barton County, in December, from surveillance sites that reported to the health department, there were more than 200 people tested for influenza and a total of 146 confirmed influenza cases, said Lily Akings, Barton County health director. In January of those people tested thus far, there were 22 confirmed influenza cases.
One site reported that they were seeing more cases in the 18-55 year olds age group. Sites state that on the reporting date, there were beds available at local hospitals.
However, there may be more cases that escaped notice, Akings said. Influenza is not a mandatory reporting illness and in general not all patients are tested to confirm illness.
According to the KDHE, a distinguishing feature of this influenza season appears to be the re-emergence of the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 strain as the dominating virus. This virus, which caused the 2009 influenza pandemic, caused more illness in children and young adults, compared to older adults.
“In Kansas, young adults have typically had the lowest influenza vaccination rates, so we can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting a flu shot for this segment of the population,” said Robert Moser, M.D., KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer. “We encourage businesses to consider recommending their employees get vaccinated if they haven’t and to provide time away from work to accomplish this goal if necessary. Employers should also encourage their workers to stay home when ill.”
“The combination of the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 being the dominating strain and low vaccination rates among children and young adults could be setting the stage for a bad influenza season,” said D. Charles Hunt, MPH, State Epidemiologist at KDHE. “If you have not had your flu vaccination for this season, now is the time.”
In addition to getting vaccinated, avoid spreading the flu virus by covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands, and staying home when you are sick.
On average, five to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu yearly, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications. During the peak of the 2012-2013 influenza season in Kansas, approximately six percent of all health care visits in ILINet clinics were due to influenza-like illness. Influenza or pneumonia contributed to or was the direct cause of 1,444 deaths among Kansas residents during the 2012-2013 influenza season. Influenza and pneumonia was the eighth leading cause of death in 2012 in Kansas.
Nearly all persons six months and older are recommended to receive a flu vaccine every year. Vaccination is especially important for protecting those at high risk for serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, adults 65 years and older, and anyone with chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. Those caring for, or in regular contact with, an infant less than six months of age should also be immunized. At this age, babies are too young to be vaccinated and are more vulnerable to complications from influenza.
Symptoms of the flu include: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and dehydration; the flu might also worsen other chronic conditions.
“It’s not too late to vaccinate,” Akings said. To get a flu vaccine, contact your health care provider or the health department.
Visit www.kdheks.gov/flu for more flu facts.
