Cold or flu? It's not just in your head
Not sure if you're coming down with a cold, the flu or just one of those 24-hour flu bugs that leaves you feeling nauseated?
A cold and the flu share some of the same symptoms. But even a bad cold is pretty mild, compared to a bout with the flu.
No pill or herb will get rid of either — each is caused by viruses and antibiotics, herbal remedies and homeopathic medicines are useless against them. You can take things that might ease your symptoms, but there is no cure. Your illness will have to run its course.
A cold usually comes on gradually — over the course of a day or two. Generally, it leaves you feeling tired, sneezing, coughing and plagued by a running nose. You often don't have a fever, but when you do, it's only slightly higher than normal. Colds usually last three to four days, but can hang around for 10 days to two weeks.
Flu, on the other hand, comes on suddenly and hits hard. You will feel weak and tired and you could run a fever as high as 40 C. Your muscles and joints will probably ache, you will feel chilled and could have a severe headache and sore throat. Getting off the couch or out of bed will be a chore. The fever may last three to five days, but you could feel weak and tired for two to three weeks.
The following chart illustrates the major differences between cold and flu symptoms:
| Signs & symptoms | Cold | Flu |
| Fever | Occasional | Often above 38.5 C for 2-4 days |
| Headache | Frequent, but not severe | Prominent and often severe |
| Aches/pains | Slight | Often severe |
| Fatigue/weakness | Mild | Can last 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme exhaustion | Never | Early and prominent |
| Stuffy nose | Common | Occasional |
| Sore throat | Common | Occasional |
| Cough | Hacking | Can be severe |
| Chest discomfort | Mild to moderate | Common, can become severe |
| Onset | Gradual (develops over a day or two) | Sudden (within a few hours) |
| Cause | 200 strains of cold virus | 3 strains of influenza virus |