You know the feeling. It starts with a slight tickle in your throat, or
the feeling that something “isn’t quite right.” Then…boom! You’re sick.
But how do you know if you have a common cold or the full-blown flu?
The flu typically comes on fast, while a cold can start slowly and
gradually become worse. The symptoms of each condition are different, too.
Flu Symptoms
- High fever
- Extreme muscle aching over your entire body
- Major fatigue
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nasal discharge
- Dry cough
- Vomiting or stomach pain (in children)
Flu symptoms can last one to two weeks. Flu complications can lead to
pneumonia, dehydration, sinus infections, ear infections, hospitalization or
even death.
Cold Symptoms
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Itchy throat
- Fatigue
- Mild cough
A cold typically lasts about three days, but congestion may continue a
week or more. Sometimes cold complications develop, which can lead to sinus
infections, bronchitis, ear infections or asthma attacks.
The seasonal flu is caused by a flu virus; many colds are also caused
by viruses. Antibiotic treatment is not typically prescribed for viruses.
However, if your cold develops into a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment
is very effective.
If you’re experiencing cold or flu symptoms, contact Dr. Marilyn
Kutzscher in San Francisco at 415-923-3560 or marilynkmd.com to schedule an
appointment. While viral infections must typically run their course, Dr.
Kutzscher may identify certain illness strains that would respond to
medication.
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