Health Coughs, colds and flu


Symptom checker:


COLDvs FLU


Cold and flu season has arrived.


Here’s all you need to know about the symptoms to look out for, and how to tell the viruses apart


Catching a cold isn't uncommon during winter. You may even catch the flu. The symptoms can be similar for both viruses, so how can you tell which one is affecting you? It’s not unusual to think you have


flu when what you really have is a bad cold or vice versa. However there are usually a few ways to tell the difference. A bad cold can cause a number of


unpleasant symptoms, but if you have flu you may feel completely wiped out and unable to get out of bed. Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days while flu symptoms start quite quickly. Here are the main symptoms, how to


decide which virus may be causing them and what you can do to relieve them:


Fever


Is it a cold? A cold doesn’t always cause a fever, and if it does the fever is usually minor.


Is it flu? Flu typically causes a sudden high temperature of 38C or higher, but your fever should go down within 48 hours.


Whichever virus is making you feverish, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen – both of which you can buy at your local Careway pharmacy – may help bring your temperature down. Other things that could make you


feel cooler include having some iced drinks and wearing lightweight clothing.


Headache, aches and pains


Is it a cold? A headache is sometimes a symptom of the cold virus, but body aches and pains are usually slight.


Is it flu? Headache, aches and pains are common in cases of flu, with body aches and pains often being intense. If you get a headache and muscle aches suddenly, along with a high temperature and feeling dizzy and shivery, it’s likely you have flu rather than a cold.


Pharmacy pain relief medicines including paracetamol and ibuprofen can help relieve a headache as well as muscular aches and pains – ask your


local Careway pharmacist to recommend the product that would suit you best. Placing a warm or a cold compress across your forehead may also help soothe a headache (soak a clean flannel in warm or cold water to make the compress).


Fatigue and exhaustion


Is it a cold? You may feel tired and run down if you have a cold, but the cold virus doesn’t cause exhaustion. You should be able to carry on as normal with a cold, despite feeling unwell. However, the NHS recommends getting plenty of rest and sleep to help you recover from a cold more quickly. Drinking plenty of fluids may also help.


Is it flu? Exhaustion is common with flu, usually during the first few days. You may also stay feeling tired for 10 days or longer. If you have flu, you may feel so exhausted that you won’t be able to carry on as normal. So try to rest as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. >


All About health 9


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