It always gets confused sniffles or Common Cold And between Flu But medically, in terms of causes and symptoms, they are two different conditions. Some of the symptoms may be similar between them, but if you get some runny nose or sneezing, you cannot know whether this is a cold or the flu.. Discover with us the difference between them, the symptoms and causes of each, and learn about Cold and flu treatment At home, medications and foods that relieve symptoms in this article.

The difference between a cold and the flu

Cold and influenza are respiratory diseases caused by viral infections, but the virus that causes a cold or cold is different from the virus that causes influenza. The symptoms of a cold and the symptoms of influenza may be similar, so it is always difficult to differentiate between them, but the symptoms of influenza are more severe than the symptoms of a cold.

Symptoms of cold and flu and the difference between them

If you have a cold, you will often have these symptoms, and they usually last Cold symptoms For a week and during the first three days your condition becomes contagious to others:

• Runny or stuffy nose.
• sneezing and coughing
• Sore throat.
• Headache and body aches.
• Mild feeling of fatigue.

Read more: Common cold symptoms and when to see a doctor

If you have the flu, you will have these symptoms, and they usually start flu symptoms To appear gradually over two to five days and continue to increase for a period of one to two weeks:

• Dry, sharp cough.
• Moderate or high fever, but a high temperature does not always appear as a symptom of influenza.
• Sore throat.
• Feeling goosebumps and trembling in the whole body.
• Sharp pain in the muscles of the body.
• Severe headache.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Feeling very tired may last for two weeks.
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (these symptoms are more common in children).

Read more: Flu symptoms in detail and when to see a doctor

Causes of colds and influenza

Infection with the common cold and influenza occurs when viruses are transmitted to the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes, as these viruses are transmitted from an infected person to other people due to their spread in the air through sneezing, coughing, or direct contact with the sick person and the use of his personal tools.

Cold and flu treatment

Some people believe that antibiotics treat colds and flu, but it is a completely wrong belief because it is a viral infection and not a bacterial infection, just as there is no cure for colds and influenza as a disease, but the available treatments are only to relieve and reduce symptoms, as follows:

Treat cold and flu at home

The treatment of colds and the flu here depends on complete rest first at home, with plenty of fluids, and the doctor can prescribe some medications for you to relieve symptoms, such as:

1- Pain relievers

Pain relievers are used to relieve sore throat and lower the temperature, as well as to relieve body and muscle pain, such as: acetaminophen (Paracetamol), you must read the inner leaflet of these medicines in order to avoid any drug interactions or use cautions mentioned.

2- Nasal sprays or drops

For adults, they can use nasal sprays or drops that help Treating a stuffy nosebut only for a period not exceeding 5 days so as not to cause adverse effects, and these drops or sprays cannot be used for children under 6 years.

3- Cough medicines

Cough medicines can be used for adults and children over 4 years old, but never try to give your child medicines that contain active ingredients together, such as antihistamines, decongestants and pain relievers, because combining them can cause serious complications for the child due to overdose.

4- Drink plenty of fluids

The secret here is in water, juice and warm drinks such as warm lemon, and avoid stimulant caffeine-containing drinks such as tea, coffee and soft drinks because they cause dryness in the body and throat.

5- Adjust the room temperature

You should keep the temperature of the room in which you sit warm (not too cold or hot) and you can also use a humidifier if the room air is very dry, this will help you relieve sore throat and cough.

6- Saline solution

You can use a salt water solution to gargle to get rid of a sore throat, so find out how the saline solution works, its benefits, and its use.

Treating colds and flu with vitamins and supplements

There are some nutritional supplements and vitamins that help treat colds and flu and work to restore the body to its activity, but it has not yet been proven that these alternative treatments are really effective for getting rid of colds and flu, such as:

Vitamin C

It is common to use vitamin C to fight colds and flu, but so far it has not been proven effective in curing them.

Zinc

There is a lot of conflicting opinion regarding the effectiveness of zinc in successfully treating colds and influenza. Studies that support the use of zinc in treatment suggest that it may be effective if taken within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms, but there are some side effects of zinc such as a bad taste in the mouth. nausea.

Echinacea or lilac extract

Also, the opinions here are conflicting, as some studies believe the effectiveness of this herb in preventing colds and relieving its symptoms, but its effectiveness in treatment has not been proven so far. In general, there is no harm in taking echinacea extract supplements if your immune system is in good health, and if you do not suffer Allergy to this substance.

Finally, before you take any of these medications and supplements, you should consult your doctor to follow up with you on your health condition and advise you on what you should and should not take.

Useful foods in the treatment of colds and flu

• chicken soupIt is considered one of the best foods ever that you can eat if you have a cold or the flu, as it has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve sore throat and open the nasal passages.
• Citrus juices: such as lemon and orange, because they are rich in natural vitamin C, and you can actually get their benefits if you take them as soon as you feel the mild symptoms of a cold.
• Ginger: Helps relieve throat and nasal congestion.
• Vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants: such as broccoli, red onions, cabbage, blueberries and cranberries.

Read more: Treating body aches due to a cold at home

Complications of cold and flu

If the treatment of influenza and colds is neglected, the condition may develop complications that you must take care of, as the common cold may develop otitis media, asthma attacks, and acute sinusitis.

Influenza can develop into pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and ear infections, and it can also lead to heart problems.

Therefore, dear reader, we always advise you not to neglect any of the symptoms that we mentioned earlier, and to follow your doctor’s instructions for proper treatment Cold and flu treatment Whether for you or your child, and as soon as you feel the symptoms of cumulus or the flu, you should try to avoid direct contact with those around you, or even minimize it, and not share your own tools as much as possible so as not to transmit the infection.