Here are all the symptoms of a cold and everything you need to know about the common cold
In a typical year, flu season occurs from fall to early spring — and with it comes sniffling, sneezing, coughing, fatigue, and every one of the familiar trappings of the flu.
Flu shots are always important, but they’re even more important this year to guard the population, and particularly vulnerable groups, from getting flu while COVID-19 remains a threat.
What’s the difference between a chilly and therefore the flu?
The cold and therefore the flu could seem similar initially. They’re both respiratory illnesses and may cause similar symptoms. But different viruses cause these two conditions.
Your symptoms can assist you to tell the difference between them.
Both a chilly and therefore the flu share a couple of common symptoms. People with either illness often experience:
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- body aches
- general fatigue
As a rule, flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms.
Another distinct difference between the 2 is how serious they're. Colds rarely cause other health conditions or problems. But the flu can lead to:
- sinusitis
- ear infections
- pneumonia
- sepsis
If your symptoms are severe, you'll want to verify either a chilly or flu diagnosis. Your doctor will run tests that will help determine what’s behind your symptoms.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, call ahead for the protocol on visiting a doctor face to face or having an online visit.
Cold and flu symptoms should even be treated with care thanks to their overlap with COVID-19 symptoms.
If your doctor diagnoses a chilly, you’ll only get to treat your symptoms until the virus has run its course. These treatments can include:
- using over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications
- staying hydrated
- getting much rest
For the flu, taking flu medicine early within the virus’ cycle may help reduce the severity of the illness and shorten the time that you’re sick. Rest and hydration also are beneficial for people with the flu.
Much like the cold, the flu often just needs time to figure its way through your body.
What’s the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
The symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, and allergies have some overlap but are often different. the most symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- tiredness
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
Sneezing isn't typical.
Flu symptoms are almost like COVID-19 including fever and body aches. But you'll not find shortness of breath as a symbol of the flu.
Allergy symptoms are usually more chronic and include sneezing, coughing, and wheezing.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Here are a number of the common symptoms of the flu:
Fever
The flu nearly always causes a rise in your blood heat. this is often also referred to as a fever.
Most flu-related fevers range from a low-grade fever around 100°F (37.8°C) to as high as 104°F (40°C).
Although alarming, it’s not uncommon for young children to possess higher fevers than adults. If you think your child has the flu, see their doctor.
You may feel “feverish” once you have an elevated temperature. Signs include chills, sweats, or being cold despite your body’s heat. Most fevers last for fewer than 1 week, usually around 3 to 4 days.
Cough
A dry, persistent cough is common with the flu. The cough may worsen, becoming uncomfortable and painful.
You may sometimes experience shortness of breath or chest discomfort during this point. Many flu-related coughs can last for about 2 weeks.
Muscle aches
Flu-related muscle pains are commonest in your neck, back, arms, and legs. they will often be severe, making it difficult to maneuver even when trying to perform basic tasks.
Headache
Your first symptom of the flu could also be a severe headache. Sometimes symptoms, including light and sound sensitivity, go alongside your headache.
Fatigue
Feeling tired may be a not-so-obvious symptom of the flu. Feeling generally unwell is often a symbol of the many conditions. These feelings of tiredness and fatigue may come on fast and be difficult to beat.
Learn more about the way to recognize the symptoms of the flu.
Flu shot: Know the facts
Influenza may be a serious virus that results in many illnesses annually. You don’t need to be young or have a compromised system to urge gravely ill from the flu. Healthy people can get sick from the flu and spread it to friends and family.
In some cases, the flu can even be deadly. Flu-related deaths are commonest in people ages 65 and older but are often seen in children and young adults.
The best and most effective thanks to avoiding the flu and stop spreading it's to urge a flu vaccination.
The flu vaccine is out there within the following forms:
- injectable shot
- high-dose injectable shot (for those over age 65)
- intradermal shot
- nasal spray
The more folks that get vaccinated against the flu, the less the flu can spread. It also helps with herd immunity, helping to guard those that can’t get the vaccine for medical reasons.
Vaccination also can help lessen the severity of the illness if you are doing find yourself getting the flu.
How does the flu shot work?
To make the vaccine, scientists select the strains of the flu virus that research suggests are going to be the foremost common within the coming flu season. many vaccines with those strains are produced and distributed.
Once you receive the vaccine, your body begins producing antibodies against those strains of the virus. These antibodies protect against the virus.
If you inherit contact with the flu virus at a later point, you'll avoid contracting it.
You may get sick if you finish up coming into contact with a special strain of the virus. But the symptoms are going to be less severe because you had the vaccination.
Who should get the flu shot?
Doctors recommend that everybody over the age of 6 months trusted Source receive the flu vaccine. this is often very true for people in high-risk categoriesTrusted Source like:
- pregnant women
- children under age 5
- people aged 18 and under who receive aspirin therapy
- people over age 65
- people whose body mass index is 40 or higher
- anyone working or living during a home or chronic care facility
- caregivers to any of the above
- American Indians or Alaska Natives
- anyone with chronic medical conditions
Most doctors also recommend that everybody gets their flu vaccine by the top of October. In this manner, your body has time to develop the proper antibodies before flu season kicks into gear.
Even if you don’t get the flu shot by October 31, it’s not too late. albeit it’s well into flu season, it’s always helpful to urge the flu shot.
It takes about 2 weeks for antibodies to develop against the flu after vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that both flu and therefore the new coronavirus, COVID-19, are going to be spreading this year. due to this, the vaccine is going to be more important than ever.
Learn more about the importance of the flu shot.
Side effects of the flu shot
Many people report avoiding the flu vaccine annually for fear that it'll make them sick. It’s important to know that the flu vaccine can’t cause you to develop the flu.
You aren’t getting to become sick because you received the vaccine. Flu vaccines contain dead flu viruses. These strains aren’t strong enough to cause an illness.
Like other shots, you'll experience some side effects from the flu shot. These side effects are often mild and only last a brief period of your time. The side effects of an attempt outweigh the possible symptoms of developing the flu later.
The most common side effects of the flu shot include:
- soreness around the injection site
- low-grade fever within the days immediately following the injection
- mild aches and stiffness
On rare occasions, some people may have a significant allergy to the vaccination. If you’ve had an allergy to any vaccine or medication before, talk together with your doctor.
Learn more about the possible side effects of the flu shot.
How long does the flu last?
Most people get over the flu in a few weeks. But it's going to take several more days for you to feel back to your usual self. It’s not uncommon to feel tired for several days after your flu symptoms have subsided.
It’s important to remain home from school or work until you’ve been freed from fever for a minimum of 24 hours (and that’s without taking fever-reducing medications).
If you've got the flu, it is often passed to a different person each day before your symptoms appear and up to 5–7 days afterward.
If you've got any cold or flu symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, you want to isolate yourself while getting tested and still practice good hygiene such as:
- washing your hands
- disinfecting high-touch areas
- wearing a face covering
- avoiding contact with others
Treatment options for the flu
Most cases of the flu are mild enough that you simply can treat yourself reception without prescription medications.
You must stay home and avoid contact with people once you first notice flu symptoms.
You should also:
- Drink many fluids. This includes water, soup, and low-sugar flavored drinks.
- Treat symptoms like headache and fever with OTC medications.
- Wash your hands to stop spreading the virus to other surfaces or people in your house.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues. Immediately eliminate those issues.
- Wear a face covering when publicly.
Contact your doctor as soon as symptoms appear if you’re at high risk for flu-related complications.
High-risk groups include:
- people with weakened immune systems
- women who are pregnant or up to 2 weeks postpartum
- people who are a minimum of 65 years old
- children under 5 years old (in particular, those under age 2)
- people who sleep in chronic care facilities or nursing homes
- people who have chronic conditions, like heart or lung disease
- people who are of Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) descent
Your doctor may test for the flu virus directly. they'll also prescribe an antiviral medication to stop complications.
When is flu season?
In us, the most flu season stretches from October to March. Cases of the flu peak between December and February, consistent with the CDCTrusted Source. But you'll get flu at any time of the year.
You’re more likely to urge sick during the autumn and winter months. this is often because you’re spending longer in close quarters with people and also are exposed to a lot of various illnesses.
You’re more likely to catch the flu if you have already got a special virus. this is often because other infections can weaken your system and cause you to more susceptible to new ones.
Remedies for flu symptoms
Having the flu is not any fun. But remedies for flu symptoms are available, and lots of of them provide great relief.
Keep these treatments in mind if you've got the flu:
- Pain relievers. Analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are often recommended to assist ease symptoms. These include muscle aches and pains, headache, and fever.
- Decongestants. this sort of medication can help relieve nasal congestion and pressure in your sinuses and ears. Each sort of decongestant can cause some side effects, so make certain to read labels to seek out the one that’s best for you.
- Expectorants. this sort of medication helps loosen thick sinus secretions that make your head feel clogged and cause coughing.
- Cough suppressants. Coughing may be a common flu symptom, and a few medications can help relieve it. If you don’t want to require medication, some cough drops use honey and lemon to ease pharyngitis and cough.
Warning: Children and teenagers should never take aspirin for any illness. this is often due to the danger of a rare but fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome.
Be careful to not mix medications. Using unnecessary medication could cause unwanted side effects. It’s best to require medicines that apply to your predominant symptoms.
In the meantime, get a lot of rest. Your body is fighting hard against the influenza virus, so you would like to offer it much downtime. Call in sick, occupy the home, and obtain better. Don’t attend work or school with a fever.
You should also drink many fluids. Water, low-sugar sports drinks, and soup can assist you to stay hydrated. Warm liquids like soup and tea have the additional advantage of helping ease pain from pharyngitis.
Flu symptoms in adults
Flu-related fever appears in adults and may be severe. for several adults, a sudden high fever is that the earliest symptom of the flu. It also can be a symbol of COVID-19.
Adults rarely spike a fever unless they need a significant infection. The flu virus causes an abrupt heat that’s greater than 100°F (37.8°C).
Other viral infections, sort of a cold, may cause low-grade fevers.
Beyond this, children and adults share many equivalent symptoms. Some people may experience one or several symptoms quite another person. everyone is going to be different.
What’s the period for the flu?
The typical period for the flu is 1 to 4 days. Incubation refers to the amount during which the virus is in your body and developing.
During this point, you'll not show any symptoms of the virus. That doesn’t mean that you simply aren’t ready to pass it to somebody else. many of us are capable of transmitting the virus to others each day before symptoms appear.
The many tiny droplets that are produced once we sneeze, cough, or talk, spread the flu virus. These droplets enter your body through your nose, mouth, or eyes.
You can also get the flu by touching a surface that has the virus thereon then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
Is there such a thing because of the 24-hour flu?
The “24-hour flu” (or gastroenteritis) may be a common stomach infection that has nothing to try to do with influenza, despite sharing a reputation. The 24-hour gastroenteritis is caused by a genus of viruses called norovirus.
The symptoms of norovirus include:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramping
These symptoms occur within the digestive system. That’s why the 24-hour flu is usually called a “stomach flu.” Although it’s called the “24-hour flu,” you'll be ill for up to three days.
The symptoms of the 24-hour flu and influenza (the flu) are different. The flu may be a respiratory disease. systema respiratorium symptoms of the flu include:
- coughing
- headaches
- fever
- runny nose
- body aches
Some people with influenza may experience nausea and vomiting while they’re sick. But these symptoms aren’t as common in adults.
Is the flu contagious?
If you've got the flu, you’re contagious — meaning you'll pass the flu to others.
Many people can spread the virus as early as each day before they show symptoms. In other words, you'll be transmitting the virus before you even realize that you’re sick.
You may still be spreading the virus 5 to 7 days after your symptoms appear. Young children are often ready to pass the virus for quite 7 days after symptoms first appear.
People who have a weak system may experience the virus symptoms longer, too.
If you've got the flu or any flu symptoms, stay home. Do your part to stop the spread of the virus to people. If you’re diagnosed, alert anyone you came into contact with on the day before your symptoms appeared.
Learn more about whether the flu is contagious.
What is the flu?
Influenza (the flu) may be a common, infectious virus spread by droplets that enter another person’s body. From there, the virus takes hold and begins to develop.
Each year, the flu spreads across us. A 2018 CDC study trusted Source found that the flu affects between 3–11 percent of U.S. people annually. This accounts for people that have symptoms.
Winter is that the flu’s primary season, with a peak in February. But you'll get the flu any time of the year.
Many strains of the flu exist. Doctors and researchers determine which strains of the virus are going to be commonest annually.
Those strains are then wont to produce vaccines. A flu vaccine is one of the simplest and best ways to stop the flu.
Is there medication for the flu?
Medications called antiviral drugs can treat the flu. You can’t buy these medications over the counter at a pharmacy. They’re available by prescription only, and you want to visit a doctor or healthcare provider to receive a prescription.
Antiviral medications wont to treat the flu can help ease the symptoms. they will also shorten the length of the flu by each day or two.
Taking antiviral medications may help if you get the flu, but these medications even have side effects. ask your doctor to know the risks.
Research suggests antiviral medications work best if you're taking them within 48 hours of getting symptoms. If you miss that window, don’t worry. you'll still see a enjoy taking the drugs later.
This is very true if you’re at high risk or are ill. Taking antiviral medications may help protect you against flu complications. These include pneumonia and other infections.
Early symptoms of the flu
Symptoms of the flu appear quickly. This sudden onset of symptoms is usually the flu’s first hallmark. With similar illnesses, like a chilly, it can take several days for symptoms to emerge.
Another common early symptom of the flu is that the breadth of pain. People with the flu report feeling uncomfortable everywhere their body as an early symptom.
You may feel as if you’ve been “hit by a truck.” Getting out of bed may convince be difficult and slow going. this sense could also be an early symptom of the flu.
After this, other symptoms of the flu may begin appearing, making it obvious you've got the virus.
Learn more about early flu symptoms.
Are there natural flu remedies?
If left untreated, a typical case of the flu often goes away in about 1 week. During that point, you've got several treatment options for treating symptoms easier to handle.
Prescription antiviral medicines can reduce the severity of the infection. they will also shorten its duration. Some OTC treatments can ease the symptoms also.
Some natural flu remedies could also help alleviate symptoms. as an example, for pharyngitis or cough, some options include:
- honey
- warm tea
- warm soup
Of course, rest is additionally a crucial part of recovering from the flu, or the other sort of virus.
Your body is fighting hard to urge well. It’s wise for you to prevent, rest, and obtain more sleep so your system can fight back against the virus.
Options for over-the-counter (OTC) flu medicine
OTC medicines can help relieve symptoms of the flu, but they won’t treat it. If you've got the flu and are trying to find symptom relief, consider these medicines:
- Decongestants. Nasal decongestants help hack mucus in your sinuses. this enables you to blow your nose. Decongestants are available in several forms including nasal decongestants that are inhaled and oral (pill) decongestants.
- Cough suppressants. Coughing, especially in the dark, maybe a common flu symptom. OTC cough medicines can ease or suppress your cough reflex. Cough drops or lozenges can soothe pharyngitis and suppress coughing.
- Expectorants. this sort of medication may assist you to cough up phlegm if you've got tons of mucus or congestion in your chest.
OTC “flu medicines” like NyQuil often contain several of those sorts of drugs in one pill.
If you're taking one among these combination medications, avoid taking other medications with it. This ensures that you simply don’t take an excessive amount of anybody sort of medicine.
What causes the flu?
The flu may be a virus that’s spread in several ways. First, you'll contract the virus from an individual near you who has the flu and sneezes, coughs, or talks.
The virus also can survive inanimate objects for two to eight hours. If someone with the virus touched a standard surface, sort of a door handle or a keyboard, and you touch an equivalent surface, you'll get the virus.
Once you've got the virus on your hand, it can enter your body if you touch your mouth, eyes, or nose.
You can get a vaccine against the flu. An annual flu vaccine helps your body steel itself against exposure to the virus. But flu viruses are morphing and changing. That’s why you would like the flu shot per annum, and particularly while COVID-19 remains active.
A flu shot helps you by activating your system to form antibodies against particular strains of influenza. Antibodies are what prevent infections.
It’s possible to urge the flu after receiving the flu shot if you inherit contact with other strains of the virus. Even then, it’s likely your symptoms are going to be much less severe than if you hadn’t had the vaccine in the least.
This is because different strains of influenza share common elements (called cross-protection), which suggests that the flu vaccine is in a position to figure against them, too.
Where am I able to get a flu shot?
Most doctors’ offices carry the vaccine. you'll also get the vaccine at:
- pharmacies
- walk-in medical clinics
- county or city health departments
Some employers and schools also offer flu shot clinics on-site, though many are closed thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. open people will begin promoting flu vaccines as flu season approaches. Some even offer incentives like coupons to encourage you to receive your vaccine.
If you can’t find a flu shot provider, use a flu shot locator just like the Vaccine Finder. This website list business, phone numbers, and hours of operation.
Flu shot for kids: What you ought to know
Each year, many thousands of youngsters get sick from the flu. a number of these illnesses are severe and need hospitalization. Some even end in death.
Children who get the flu are often at a better risk than adults who get sick from the flu. for instance, children under age 5 are more likely to wish for medical treatment for the flu.
Severe complications from influenza are commonest in children under 2 years old. If your child features a chronic medical condition, like asthma or diabetes, the flu could also be worse.
See your doctor directly if your child has been exposed to the flu or shows flu symptoms. Call ahead for the protocol around COVID-19 prevention.
The best thanks to protecting your children against the flu are with a flu vaccine. Vaccinate children annually.
Doctors recommend flu vaccines for youngsters starting at 6 months old.
Some children between ages 6 months and eight years may have two doses to cover against the virus. If your child is receiving a vaccine for the primary time, they're going to likely need two doses.
If your child only received one dose within the flu season prior, they'll need two doses this flu season. Ask your child’s doctor what percentage doses your child needs.
Children under 6 months aged are too young for a flu vaccine. to guard them, confirm the people around them get vaccinated. This includes relations and care providers.
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