How to Tell If You Have a Cold or the Flu

Most folks have a hard time determining if they have a cold or the flu because the symptoms are sometimes very similar. Treating the cold or flu with antibiotics is basically useless because the cold and flu "bugs" are viruses and not bacteria. Antibiotics are useful against illness caused by bacteria like pneumonia and meningitis, but are ineffective in treating colds and flu. The main differences between a cold and flu are these: With a cold, you'll rarely have a fever, headache, or extreme exhaustion. With the flu you'll run a high fever, have a prominent headache, and extreme body aches, and the fatigue will start early and hard.

Symptoms of a Cold.

Except in newborn babies, colds are not dangerous and most folks usually get over a cold in 4-10 days without any treatment. Symptoms usually start slower than the flu, about 1-3 days after exposure to a cold virus. First, a burning feeling begins in the nose and throat, followed by sneezing, runny nose, and a general feeling of being worn out and tired. Sometimes you will get a cough, but not with all cold viruses. The runny nose will last a few days, the mucous starting as a watery secretion and then turning darker and thicker. This darker mucous doesn't necessarily mean you have a bacterial infection.

Symptoms of a cold typically last about 3 days after which you should begin to feel better, though congestion can last up to a week or longer. You are contagious during the first 3 days of a cold, so take care not to spread the virus to others. Stay at home, away from others, and get some rest.

Your body may be more susceptible to infection because a cold will wear down your body's resistance. If you cough up a lot of darker mucous and feel a distressed in the lower part of your lungs, you may be developing a bacterial infection. Those who have chronic bronchitis will be more severely affected by these cold symptoms. If you feel your cold is bad enough, or if you think you may have developed a bacterial infection, it's best to get some medical attention. A doctor will probably examine your ears and throat, and may even take a throat culture to determine if you do indeed have a bacterial infection.

If it's hard to swallow, have a sore throat for more than 2-3 days, have an earache, stiffness in your neck, or a sensitivity to bright lights, or if you're running a fever of 101 degrees or higher - it's could be a bacterial infection and it's time to seek medical attention.

Symptoms of the Flu.

First you need to know that seasonal flu and swine flu (H1N1) are both acute upper respiratory infections caused by a virus, and both have similar symptoms. The flu virus is different than a typical cold virus and should be treated differently. Early detection is a big advantage, so keep an eye on yourself and look for early signs of the flu in your own body. The longer you wait to treat symptoms, the longer flu will last. Tamiflu and Relenza are both most effective when given within 48 hours of being infected with the flu virus. Both of these drugs are effective against seasonal and swine flu.

Symptoms start quicker than cold symptoms with a sudden, possibly high fever, fatigue, headache, and body aches. Warm, flushed skin and red, watering eyes are also typical of flu. You may even have a dry cough, sore throat, and a watery discharge from your nose. Diarrhea and vomiting aren't usually associated with seasonal flu, but may be symptoms of the H1N1 swine flu. Flu symptoms usually last 3-4 days but the cough and fatigue may last for 1-2 weeks after. The flu virus is very contagious so isolate yourself from others. Stay at home until you have been free of fever for at least 24 hours.

Flu viruses are much more serious than the cold virus. The CDC estimates more than 100,000 people are hospitalized each year with the flu and about 36,000 will die fro the flu and complications brought on by the flu virus. If you think you have the flu, it's always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention early.

The main differences between a cold and flu are these: With a cold, you'll rarely have a fever, headache, or extreme exhaustion. With the flu you'll run a high fever, have a prominent headache, and extreme body aches, and the fatigue will start early and hard.