Flu Immune 500

Do you have a cold or do you have the flu?

This time of year colds and flu are common ailments, but how do you tell the difference? While a cold and the flu share some of the same symptoms, there are also differences. The following is a list comparing the symptoms of colds and the flu as found at Treat-The-Flu.com.

1. Fever rare in colds, while 80% of flu patients have a fever of 100 or higher lasting 3 to 4 days.

2. Cough with a cold the cough is hacking and mucus-producing, with the flu the cough is non-mucus-producing.

3. Body Aches slight with a cold, severe aches and pains with the flu.

4. Stuffy nose present with a cold, not with the flu.

5. Chills uncommon with a cold, while 60% of flu patients have chills.

6. Fatigue if it is a cold the patient experiences mild fatigue, this becomes moderate to severe with the flu.

7. Sneezing colds yes, flu no.

8. Cold develop over days, the flu hits fast and hard, usually within 3 to 6 hours.

9. 80% of patients who have the flu also have a headache. Headaches are uncommon with a common cold.

10. Colds produce sore throats, while sore throats are not present with the flu.

11. Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold and severe with the flu.

According to familydoctor.org colds can be treated with over the counter medications along with plenty of rest and lots of liquids. The flu can be treated with the same remedies; you should also consider getting a prescription from you family doctor.

As someone who has experienced the flu first hand I can tell you that seeing a doctor is a very good idea. You may even want to revisit your doctor if the symptoms don’t seem to be getting better. This was my mistake. Here’s why.

The first day of April 1991 I realized that the chills and aches I was suffering were accompanied by a fever of 102.4. My daughter insisted I see a doctor who promptly diagnosed the flu and gave me a prescription, told me to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. I filled the prescription and did what I was told. I thought that in about a week I would be better. I was wrong. Instead of getting better I got worse. Did I return to the doctor? No. I slept on the couch all day getting up only to use the bathroom. My diet consisted of 7 Up. I was ill the entire month of April. While I am not sure exactly how high my fever actually got I do know it was high enough to cause hallucinations. Thankfully my oldest daughter was a teenager so the younger two were being cared for. I had family and friends dropping by to check on me and didn’t even know it.

If there is any doubt that what you have is more than a cold I strongly suggest you get to a doctor and keep the doctor informed of your condition. Looking back I realize that if I had checked back with my doctor I probably would have been admitted to a hospital. The route I chose could have easily ended in my children growing up without a mother. The flu is not to be taken lightly. It has killed in the past and is still capable of killing today. Don’t take the chance.