Cold and Flu Season, or is it the Swine Flu?

It's that time of the year again; it's the cold and flu season. The only thing that is different this year from any other year is the multiplying masks covering people up. The emergency room's look as though a new plague was discover because everyone is wearing a mask. I am referring to the swine flu scare. A midnight cough keeps parents awake worrying if their child has managed to get the swine flu while others hope for the best and believe it's just a cold. So how do you know?

Here are a few tips to know the difference:

Cold-

The signs and symptoms of a cold and the flu can be similar but the flu takes a seasonal cold to a whole new level. Here are some cold symptoms:
Starts with a sore throat (goes away within 2 days)
Congestion and cough (sometimes for a week)
Sometimes a fever, but just a slight one (kids are more than likely to obtain one than adults are with a cold
Runny nose, this starts out clear and eventually turns darker and thicker through the rest of your cold

If you have these symptoms the first 3 days are the most contagious ones, so stay home and rest well.

Flu-

The flu can last only a few days or up to a few weeks and can come with some complications such as Pneumonia which might land you in a hospital bed.

Here are some flu symptoms:
Sore throat (gets more painful)
Muscle aches (these can be anywhere in the body and feel like you have spent all night working out)
Cough (this can be a wet cough or dry hack-like cough)
Fever (sometimes this can get quite high, so watch for a high fever, it should improve within 3-5 days)
Headache (this is usually most prominent in the back of the head but can be anywhere on the head)

Swine Flu-

The swine flu is on everyone's mind these days, and when your child lets out a cough you are already worrying if the swine flu had hit them. Many parents have already feared the worst by watching their child go through surgery to fix complications due to the swine flu or they have had to endure worse because of it. A cough can mean a variety of things, it is best not to panic until you have seem something that doesn't resemble a normal cold or flu.

Here are some swine flu symptoms:
Chills
Body aches
Headache
Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting

There are people who are walking around with the swine flu who don't know they have it because they believe they have a cold or the flu. If you are coughing and have a fever wear a mask while in public.

You should call a doctor if you experience these symptoms and are pregnant, have chronic illnesses or have a heart condition. These symptoms could lead to a much greater risk if you are not treated.

I spoke of the complications from the flu or the swine flu. Pneumonia is the most common.
Here are some symptoms to watch for:
Shaking or chills
Extreme fatigue
Diarrhea
Chest pain, heightens when you breathe in
Nausea or vomiting
A fever that has gone away but comes back a few days later
Shortness of breath

As always, it is better to be safe than sorry; if you are worried call your doctor.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/DS01144/DSECTION=symptoms
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/adult-flu-symptoms