the REN DAO Wellness Center Blog

Winter is the season most of us contract a Cold and/or the Flu. Understanding the differences between the two will help determine the best treatment and help prevent their spreading.The common cold and the flu are caused by viral infections. Viruses responsible for both a cold and flu enter the body via the nose, mouth and eyes. A cold lodges in the nose and mainly affects the head. The flu lodges in the respiratory system and usually affects the whole body.

There are over 200 different viruses that can create the symptoms of a cold. The most common are the Rhinoviruses (nose viruses). Symptoms of a cold will usually include nasal stuffiness, sneezing and a runny nose. Some people develop a mild fever. Other symptoms like headache, cough, postnasal drip, muscle aches, or decreased appetite, are dependent on the infecting virus.

A large concentration of cold virus is contained within the nose and nasal secretion of an affected person. It can be spread by inhaling droplets from a cough or sneeze or by coming in contact with contaminated material and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms usually start within 1 to 7 days after infection and last about a week. Symptoms like cough and fatigue may linger days after the main symptoms subside. Cold symptoms that don’t seem to get better may be allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Check with your health care provider.

The flu is caused by the influenza family of viruses. It can remain airborne or alive on surfaces for many hours and thus is very contagious. The nature of a flu outbreak is to appear suddenly, infecting a lot of people, very quickly. When someone contracts a flu virus, they will initially run a fever and feel sick all over. After a few days these symptoms will subside and respiratory related symptoms (like cough, cold like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, etc.) will increase. These symptoms may last another 4 to 7 days. Sometimes after symptoms clear, a second wave of the flu may begin.

Usually healthy people can recover from a cold or flu infection without medical attention within a week or two. Treatment is usually geared at reducing symptoms and supporting the body’s recovery process. Most over the counter remedies do not cure a cold or flu. They mainly treat the various symptoms a person may have.

Vaccines are available for the flu. They are developed each year by estimating which known strains of virus maybe most prevalent during the following flu season. The effectiveness of the vaccine is dependent on the accuracy of the estimation and absents of new strains. Flu vaccines are commonly preserved with a form of mercury. Those who are sensitive to mercury should avoid this form whenever possible. Medications are available that can be taken after a flu infection. These drugs reduce the virus’s ability to replicate within the body, reducing a person’s recovery time.