Colds and Influenza: What's the Difference?

Here it comes again, the cold and flu season. Chances are you've been dealing with these common illnesses throughout your life. So why should you deal with them any differently now? Because as you get older, your body has a harder time fighting off infection. Once you have a cold or influenza, there is a greater chance that it will develop into a more serious illness. Also, if you have a chronic illness such as emphysema or diabetes, influenza can be very serious or even life-threatening.

For these reasons, you need to take extra steps to protect yourself against infection. You also need to recognize influenza-related symptoms and to learn when it's time to see your doctor. By doing so, you can prevent your cold or influenza from turning into a more serious illness.

A cold versus influenza

The following are symptoms of both colds and flu:

• Sore throat

• Runny nose and sneezing, although these are rare with influenza

• Headache

• Overall sick feeling; this is called malaise and is more profound with influenza than with a cold

• Low-grade fever

• Muscle aches; these are more common with influenza than with a cold

The flu is more likely to lead to pneumonia. For this reason, you need to know if you have a cold or the flu. A cold usually does not cause high fever (above 101 degrees F), while the flu can. Also, a stuffy nose is probably a sign of a cold, rather than the flu. Overall, cold symptoms are milder and do not last as long as flu symptoms.

Colds may occur any time of the year, although they are more common in the fall, when school begins; the winter; and the early spring. In the United States, influenza is usually seen from about October through April and is extremely uncommon at any other time. Deaths from influenza peak around Feb. 17 each year.

Cozy up to self-care

Because colds and influenza flu are caused by viruses, there is no cure. The course and severity of influenza, however, can be moderated by antiviral medications. If you are young and healthy, you don't need anything further than to let a cold or flu run its course. Older adults, particularly those with existing chronic health problems, should seek care for influenza and may do better with antiviral medication. Pamper yourself by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Talk with your doctor about over-the-counter medicines that may help ease your symptoms.

Know when to see your doctor

The following symptoms may indicate a problem more serious than a common cold or influenza:

• Chest pain

• Wheezing

• High fever

• Frequent colds

• Shortness of breath that comes with little or no exertion

• Phlegm or mucus produced for two or more weeks

• A cough that lasts two weeks or produces blood

A persistent cough with a fever, for instance, could be a sign of pneumonia. See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms or if any symptoms last longer than usual for a common cold or the flu. The earlier you catch problems, the more easily they can be treated.

Think prevention

The following vaccinations can protect you from influenza and pneumonia:

• Influenza vaccine. You can protect yourself from the flu by getting a flu shot. It can be helpful if the people you spend time with also get flu shots. Because strains of the virus that causes the flu change each year, you'll need to get a flu shot each year. It's best to get the flu shot in the fall, before the flu season starts. The CDC recommends that the following people get an annual flu shot: all children ages 6 to 59 months; anyone age 50 or older; residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; adults and children older than 6 months who have chronic heart or lung conditions; adults and children older than 6 months who have metabolic diseases like diabetes or kidney disease or who have a weakened immune system; and women who will be more than three months pregnant during flu season. People who have a severe allergy to eggs should not get a flu shot. A nasal spray vaccine is available for people ages 2 to 49. Recently, the CDC has recommended that all age groups take advantage of an annual influenza immunization.

• Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. One of the most serious complications of the flu is pneumonia. You can protect yourself against the most common kind of pneumonia—pneumococcal—by getting a shot. Most people need the pneumonia shot only once in their lifetime. If you're not sure if you've had this shot, ask your doctor. The CDC recommends a pneumococcal vaccine for anyone age 65 or older and anyone who has a chronic disease or a weakened immune system.

No vaccination is available to prevent the common cold because of the several hundred different viruses that cause colds. The best way to prevent a cold is to wash your hands often; stay away from obviously infected people or crowds during cold season; and avoid sharing cups, utensils and towels with people who are sick. It is also helpful to keep your body and mind in good shape by eating a healthy diet, managing your stress and getting enough sleep.