Cold vs. flu: Does it matter?

Cold? Flu? Swine flu? Over-the-counter medications and chicken soup help all, don't they? Not so fast.

Learning whether it is a cold or flu is important because the flu can have serious complications such as pneumonia or even death. Treating flu within 48 hours of symptoms is best. Prescription antiviral medications are recommended for some people and may cut the time they are sick.

Flu: Comes on fast and furious

If you feel like you've been hit by a lorry, it's probably the flu. Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly. Classic seasonal flu symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, and fatigue. Flu symptoms usually get better over two to five days, but it's not uncommon to feel rundown and lousy for a week or longer. Colds usually include a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. Colds usually come on gradually and last for about a week.

Fever: Usually means flu

While some people may develop a slight fever when they have a cold, most do not. If you have the flu, you will probably run a fever of 38°C/100.4°F or higher. Children's flu fevers tend to be higher and children may be more likely to develop a fever with the common cold.

Flu: Fatigue can last for weeks

When you've got the flu, you’re likely to begin by feeling extremely tired and achy all over.  That fatigue and weakness may last for up to three weeks - or even longer in the elderly and people with chronic conditions or a weak immune system. With a cold, you usually feel bad for just a few days.

Colds and flu: Can cause headaches

A headache isn't a reliable indicator of flu because a cold can cause a headache, too. However, a headache caused by a cold, like other cold symptoms, tends to be milder than one caused by flu.

Coughs: Sign of both colds and flu

Because both colds and flu are respiratory illnesses, which affect your airways, both can cause coughing.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be a complication of the flu. Seek medical attention if you have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain as a result of coughing, or are coughing up yellow-green or bloody phlegm.

Earaches: Can come from colds or flu

Colds and flu can cause earaches because they can irritate the eustachian tube that connects your throat to your middle ear. That irritation can cause dull or acute pain. Cold and flu-related earaches usually go away by themselves.

If pain lasts longer than your sickness or you feel sudden, strong pain, seek medical attention. You may have developed an ear infection that needs treatment.

Colds: Often start with sore throat

Colds often start with a sore throat and painful swallowing for one to two days. A runny nose, sneezing and congestion are also common. Sore throats can be a symptom of the flu - with flu, a sore throat is accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms that often happen all at once.

Stuffy nose: May mean a cold

Unless you're also feverish, very achy and just drained of energy, you've probably got a cold -- although many people with the flu also report a stuffy nose and sneezing.

Both cold and flu can lead to sinus infections. These are marked by a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead or bridge of the nose. The pain usually gets worse with sudden head movement or straining. Seek medical advice for sinus infections.

Flu: Start antiviral medications quickly

The flu can be brutal, but if you catch it within 48 hours, prescription antiviral medications can reduce how bad your symptoms are and how long you're sick. Not everyone will be offered these drugs. Usually it’s only those at risk of the complications of the flu who are advised to have these medications.

Over-the-counter medications can also help lessen some flu symptoms like cough and congestion. Read package labels and instructions carefully so you understand what you are taking and how to take it.

Colds: Over-the-counter medications can reduce symptoms

Over-the-counter medicine including decongestants, cough suppressants and antihistamine can help congestion, cough and nasal symptoms. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with throat pain or headache.

Read the active ingredients and warnings on all product labels. Many combination cough and cold medicines contain the same ingredients, so you could accidentally overdose unless you're careful.

Cold and flu prevention: Hand washing

Wash hands well to help prevent the spread of colds and flu from one person to the next. With soap and warm water, vigorously rub your hands together for 20 seconds; don't forget between your fingers and around your nails. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers also work.

Wash hands often during cold and flu season, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Can't find a tissue? Sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hands. Better still "catch it, bin it, kill it!"

Flu prevention: Flu jab

Get a flu jab if recommended to have one. Flu vaccine is made of harmless versions of flu virus to help your body recognise and fight it if exposed to the real thing. Despite what you may hear, they don't give you the flu.

They're especially important for pregnant women, older adults and adults and children with chronic illness or suppressed immune systems.

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