SNEEZING, scratchy throat, runny nose. Everyone knows the first miserable signs of a common cold. Or, can it be the ‘flu’? The common cold is called ‘The Common Cold’ for a reason. Most persons, no matter where they live, will contract at least one bout of the common cold every year. Although more than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, the culprit is usually the rhinovirus, which is to blame for causing up to 40% of colds.

Viruses called corona viruses cause about 20% of colds, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes 10% of colds.
Influenza, or the flu, as it is commonly known, is a more severe disease than the common cold, and is caused by a different type of virus: Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses.
Both viruses of influenza and the common cold are spread from person to person through airborne droplets that are sneezed out, or coughed up by an infected person. In some cases, the viruses can be spread when a person touches an infected surface (eg., doorknobs, countertops, telephones), and then touches his or her nose, mouth, or eyes. As such, these illnesses are most easily spread in crowded conditions, such as schools.
It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages of infection, but the flu can be identified by a high fever with a sudden onset and extreme fatigue. The most common influenza symptoms are chills, fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache (often severe), coughing, weakness/fatigue and discomfort.
Many people with ‘the flu’ are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days. They complain of aches and pains throughout their bodies, especially in their backs and legs. Diarrhoea is not normally a symptom of influenza in adults, though it can be a symptom in children.
A cold begins when a cold virus attaches to the lining of your nose or throat. Your immune system sends white blood cells out to attack this germ. Unless you’ve encountered that exact strain of the virus before, the initial attack fails, and your body sends in reinforcements. Your nose and throat get inflamed and produce a lot of mucus. With so much of your body’s energy directed at fighting the cold virus, you’re left feeling tired and miserable.
Symptoms of influenza can start, quite suddenly, one to two days after infection. Usually, the first symptoms are chills, or a chilly sensation; but fever is also common early in the infection, with body temperatures ranging from 38 to 39 °C (approximately 100 to 103 °F).
Influenza virus shedding (the time during which a person might be infectious to another person) begins the day before symptoms appear, and the virus is then released for five to seven days.
People who contract influenza are most infective between the second and third day after infection. Children are much more infectious than adults, and shed virus from just before they develop symptoms until two weeks after infection.

How serious is the flu?
In the majority of cases, flu is not life threatening; just unpleasant. For some people, however, there can be severe complications. Influenza can be deadly, especially for the weak, very young and old, or chronically ill.
People with a weak immune system, such as people with advanced HIV infection or transplant patients (whose immune systems are medically suppressed to prevent transplant organ rejection), suffer particularly severely from this disease. Pregnant women and young children are also at a high risk for developing complications.

When to see a doctor
Seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms:
• Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up to 12 weeks
• Fever that rises repeatedly above 104 F (40 C) in a child of any age
• Signs of dehydration, such as urinating less often than usual
• Not drinking adequate fluids
• Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2
• Fever that lasts more than three days in a child older than 2
• Vomiting or abdominal pain
• Unusual sleepiness
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent crying
• Ear pain

Cold and Flu Symptoms at a glance

SYMTOMS COLD FLU
Fever Sometimes, usually mild Usual; higher (100-102 F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3 to 4 days
Headache Occasionally Common
General Aches, Pains Slight Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual; can last 2 to 3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion Never Usual; at the beginning of the illness
Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes
Sneezing Usual Sometimes
Sore Throat Common Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough Mild to moderate; hacking cough Common; can become severe
Complications Sinus congestion; middle ear infection
Sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infection, pneumonia; can be life-threatening
Prevention Wash hands often; avoid close contact with anyone with a cold Wash hands often; avoid close contact with anyone who has flu symptoms; get the annual flu vaccine
Treatment Decongestants; pain reliever/fever reducer medicines 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.

Contrary to popular belief, getting chilled or wet is not a cause of common colds or flu. There are factors that make you more susceptible to catching a cold virus. For example, you are more likely to catch a common cold if you are excessively fatigued, have emotional distress, or have allergies with nose and throat symptoms. (Sources: www.wikipedia.com, www.webmd.com, www.mayoclinic.com)
Written By Michelle Gonsalves