The common cold is a general infection and inflammation of the mucus membranes of your upper respiratory tract. This is caused by a highly contagious infection by one of the hundreds of viruses which may trigger a cold. What sets a cold apart from other viral infections is the lack of high fever. The symptoms of a cold come on gradually, and are usually restricted to the nose and throat. The signs and symptoms of a cold include:
- Sore throat
- Runny and/or stuffy nose
- Watery eyes
- Coughing and sneezing
- Earache
- Headache
- Low-grade fever
- Mild muscle aches and fatigue
What is the flu?
The flu – influenza - is an infection of the respiratory tract, and is caused by the highly contagious influenza A, B and C viruses. Some of the signs and symptoms of a flu may be similar to a cold, although they tend to last longer. The flu is also a more serious illness, with a rapid onset of symptoms such as high fever and intense muscle aches that differentiate it from a cold. Other symptoms may include:
- High fever, shivering and sweating
- More severe muscle aches, headaches, cough and fatigue
- Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, especially in children
What is man flu?
What some women may perceive as a common cold, many men may also perceive as a crippling and debilitating disorder requiring urgent TLC. This is sometimes referred to as man flu, and it implies that men tend to exaggerate the symptoms of a cold or flu. However, because women cannot experience man flu, they will never know the true suffering involved.
How to prevent colds and flu
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to colds and flu. Some tips that are helpful to prevent both colds and flu include:
- Regular hand washing - Cold and flu viruses can be spread by hand to hand contact and they can live on hard surfaces, such as telephones, toys, door handles and light switches. For this reason, one way to prevent catching or spreading a cold or flu is to wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or when eating or preparing food.
- Strengthen your immune system – It’s best to avoid contact with people who are coughing and sneezing, because colds and flu may be spread from breathing infected air droplets. However, this is sometimes unavoidable, so try to maintain a healthy immune system to reduce your susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections. Some strategies to help boost your immune system include avoiding cigarette smoke, staying well hydrated, and supplying your body with plenty of immune system-supporting nutrients (e.g. zinc and vitamins C and E) through a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts.
Did you know? The risk of colds and flu may be decreased by regular hand washing and keeping your immune system strong.
References available on request
