Is It a Cold or the Flu?

It’s that time of year, friends. Love is in the air—but so are cold and flu germs!

Many of us are experiencing a stuffy nose, sore throat, chest discomfort and coughing. And some of us can’t ever remember feeling so rough!

These symptoms point to the possibility of the common cold or influenza (the flu)—but which is it?

Colds are far more common, totaling around one billion per year in the U.S., compared to the flu, which affects roughly five to 20 percent of Americans each year.

But this time of year, it can be hard (if not impossible) to know which one has you or a loved one down for the count—especially if your cold symptoms are severe.

In the 40 years we’ve been serving Calhoun and Gordon County residents, The Prescription Shop has seen countless cases of both viruses. To help you better navigate the cold and flu season this year, our team has broken down how the common cold and the flu are:

alike
different
treated

The Similarities between the Common Cold and the Flu

Both the common cold and the flu are caused by viruses. And each can be caused by a number of viruses.

Colds, for example, are often caused by rhinoviruses (most common), coronavirus, RSV and parainfluenza, while the flu, on the other hand, stems from influenza viruses A, B and C.

The similarities don’t stop there, though.

Both the cold and flu affect the upper respiratory system—and they’re both passed in the same ways, such as:

touching surfaces with cold or flu viruses on them
not washing your hands after coughing or sneezing
being around people who are sick

And both can help to be prevented by practicing good hand hygiene; avoiding people who are ill; and not touching the eyes, face or mouth with unwashed hands.

The Differences between Cold and Flu Viruses—And How to Treat Them

Though cold and flu symptoms are similar, there are some notable differences that can help you better determine if you have one or the other, including:

Onset—Colds come on gradually, but the flu happens suddenly.
Fever— While a fever almost always accompanies the flu, it’s relatively rare with a cold—and if one does occur with a cold, it’s usually low-grade.
Fatigue and weakness—The flu tends to make people very tired and weak, whereas the common cold only sometimes brings on slight fatigue and weakness.
Sneezing, stuffy nose and sore throat—These symptoms can point to the flu, but more often than not, a cold is to blame—especially if these are your main symptoms.
Aches and chills—The flu is much more likely to cause body aches and chills, though it’s not uncommon for people with colds to experience mild ones.
Chest discomfort and cough—Coughing and/or having chest discomfort are common with both flu and colds, though symptoms tend to be much less severe with a cold.

And finally, the flu is much more serious than a cold in that it poses potentially dangerous health complications to some people—especially to children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

Treating colds and the flu

Because both the flu and the common cold are viruses, antibiotics are not effective in treating them. Antibiotics are only helpful in treating bacterial infections.

Whether flu or cold, most people with recover on their own at home without medical care.

In either case, it’s essential to:

get good rest
drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
wash your hands and practice good hygiene to prevent spreading germs

You may even consider taking over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms.

It’s important to note that if you think you have the flu, you should stay home and avoid contact with others, except to get medical care. If you have the flu, it’s possible your healthcare provider may prescribe something to alleviate symptoms and help your body fight the infection.

We’re still in flu season—have you gotten your flu shot yet? The Prescription Shop has three certified immunizing pharmacists on staff to make it easier than ever to get your immunizations. Have questions? Contact us today at (706) 629-9139.