The layman most difficult to distinguish between the flu and colds (cold), but both have different consequences. Just so you know, the flu is more dangerous than a cold. Then how do I tell?Learning to recognize a cold or the flu is very important, because the flu can cause serious complications such as inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) to death.Immediately treat the flu within 48 hours after symptom onset is the best step.
How to recognize colds and flu as reported by WebMD, Thursday (10/27/2011) are:
1. Flu Comes with a quick and sudden
Flu symptoms such as sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion and cough tends to come on suddenly and is more intense than cold symptoms. Colds usually only causes a runny or stuffy nose.
Flu symptoms usually improve after two to five days, but then felt weak for a week or more. Colds come gradually and ended after about a week.
2. Usually Fever Flu Signs
Some people may experience fever when a little cold, but most do not. While the flu, fever sufferer will experience 37-38 degrees Celsius or higher. Flu fever in children tend to be higher temperature and more children may develop a fever because of the common cold.
3. Fatigue Due to Flu Can Lasts Weeks
When it got the flu, the sufferer will begin to feel very tired and sore all over the body.Fatigue and weakness can last up to 3 weeks or even longer in the elderly and people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune system.
While on a cold, the symptoms only last a few days.
4. Colds and Flu Can Cause Headaches
Headache is not a reliable indicator of flu, a cold can also cause headaches. But the headaches caused by colds tend to be milder than those caused by the flu.
5. Nor Cough Colds Flu Signs
Because colds and flu is a respiratory disease that affects the airways, both of which can cause coughing.
6. Pneumonia or pneumonia is a lung infection that can be complications from the flu.
Call your doctor if you experience persistent cough, fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius, fever, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain due to cough, or cough with phlegm greenish yellow or bloody.
7. Can ear pain Caused Due to Colds or Flu
Colds and flu can cause ear pain due to irritate eustachius channel that connects the throat to the middle ear. Irritation can cause pain or burning sensation. Ear pain due to colds and flu usually goes away by itself.
If the pain lasts longer than illness or suddenly felt very ill, see your doctor. May have occurred ear infection and need treatment.
8. Colds Starts With Sore Throat
Most colds start with a sore throat for one to two days. Runny and stuffy nose are also common. Sore throats can also be a symptom of the flu. But the flu, sore throat accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms that often occur simultaneously.
9. Stuffy Nose Colds Caused Averages
Unless a very sick with fever and drain energy, congestion is generally caused by colds, although many people with flu have also reported runny nose and sneezing.
10. Both colds and flu can cause sinus infections.
Symptoms are characterized by deep pain and constant in the cheekbones, forehead, or nose. The pain usually gets worse when moving the head suddenly.
11. Test Can Identify Avian Flu Quickly
The quickest and most effective way to find out whether the flu or a cold is to undergo tests at the doctor's office. By examining the nose or throat, the doctor can tell if it's cold atu flu in less than 30 minutes.
If it turns out positive for the flu and its symptoms have been started since the last 48 hours, your doctor may recommend antiviral treatment to accelerate healing.
12. Immediate Start Anti-Flu Treatment
Flu can be dangerous, but antiviral drugs can make patients feel better and shorten the illness of one or two days if started immediately.
13. Drugs Can Reduce Symptoms of Colds
The drugs are usually purchased at pharmacies such as decongestants, cough medicines, and antihistamines can alleviate the symptoms of nasal congestion, cough, and runny nose. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to treat pain or headache.
14. Read the active ingredients and warnings on all product labels.
Most cough and cold medicines contain the same material, so that it can lead to overdose by accident.
Colds and Flu Prevention: Hand Washing
Washing your hands properly can help prevent the spread of flu. Rub your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Do not forget to brush well between fingers and around nails. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also proved successful.
Frequently wash your hands during cold and flu season, especially after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose. If you can not find a tissue, sneeze or batuklah to the elbow, not into the hand.
Flu Prevention: Vaccines
The flu vaccine is made from flu viruses in a version that is not harmful to help the body recognize and fight the flu actually. The vaccine is very important for children aged 6 months and over, pregnant women, adults aged 50 years and over, and patients with chronic disease or immune system diseases. Healthy children aged 2 years and older and healthy adults aged under 50 who are not pregnant can choose the nasal spray vaccine.
Is the Swine Flu (H1N1) Still Threatening?
Swine flu had rocked the world in 2009, but the outbreak was officially ended in 2010. The current flu vaccine is able to protect from swine flu and seasonal flu.
Swine flu and seasonal flu symptoms usually include cough, sore throat, fever (although not all people with flu have a fever) and body aches. Many patients with swine flu also experience stomach upsets such as vomiting and diarrhea.