6 Symptoms That Tell You It's Not Just A Cold, It's the Flu | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

6 Symptoms That Tell You It's Not Just A Cold, It's the Flu

The cold won’t lead to anything serious while the flu can lead to death if not treated.

243
6 Symptoms That Tell You It's Not Just A Cold, It's the Flu
Public Domain Pictures

At the beginning of 2018, the United States faced a flu season unlike any other, with nearly the entire country being affected and hundreds being hospitalized with even a few casualties. People tend to confuse the symptoms of a cold and the flu because of their very close similarities. Sometimes people will think they have the flu when it’s just a cold and think that they have just a cold when it’s actually the flu. The difference? The cold won’t lead to anything serious while the flu can lead to death if complications arise and is not treated right away. That is why it’s very important to know the symptoms of each and to visit your doctor regardless of your symptoms being either the cold or the flu.


1. Runny and/or stuffy nose

This is one of the most tell-tell signs that it’s just a cold. If you're going through your tissue box like crazy, just some cold medicine and rest will do the trick.

2. Sore throat

This symptom is both a cold and flu symptom; however, the cold will bring a milder sore throat than the flu. If your throat hurts to the point where it's affecting your talking, eating and drinking, then it might be the flu.

3. Sneezing

This symptom is tied to a runny and/stuffy nose and is generally associated with a cold. Sneezing is also associated with seasonal allergies. See if allergy medicine is all you need, if it doesn't work, then resort to the cold medicine.

4. Coughing

Both the cold and the flu include coughing, however, the flu will consist of a dry, hacking cough while the cold will consist of a more normal cough.

5. Headache and/or body aches

This symptom will be associated with both viruses. However, the flu will cause body aches and chills that will leave you in bed all day completely fatigued, compared to the cold.

6. Nausea and vomiting

While this symptom can go along with both, this is another symptom that is more prominent with the flu and is more common in children rather than adults. If you've been throwing up all night combined with the other possible flu symptoms, then a trip to the doctor's is a must.

And keep this rule of thumb in mind.

Symptoms are gradual over time? It's probably the cold.

Symptoms arrive all at once? It's probably the flu.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
April Ludgate

Every college student knows and understands the struggle of forcing themselves to continue to care about school. Between the piles of homework, the hours of studying and the painfully long lectures, the desire to dropout is something that is constantly weighing on each and every one of us, but the glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel helps to keep us motivated. While we are somehow managing to stay enrolled and (semi) alert, that does not mean that our inner-demons aren't telling us otherwise, and who is better to explain inner-demons than the beloved April Ludgate herself? Because of her dark-spirit and lack of filter, April has successfully been able to describe the emotional roller-coaster that is college on at least 13 different occasions and here they are.

Keep Reading...Show less
college
Pinterest

For many undergraduates across the nation, the home stretch has begun. Only one more semester remains in our undergraduate career. Oh, the places we will go! For the majority of college seniors, this is simultaneously the best and worst year out of the past four and here’s why.

1. The classes you are taking are actually difficult.

A schedule full of easy pottery throwing and film courses is merely a myth on the average campus. With all of those prerequisites for the upper-level courses and the never-ending battle you fight each year during registration for limited class seats, senior year brings with it the ability to register for the final courses you need to fulfill your major. Yet, these are not the easy entry level courses. These are the comprehensive, end of major, capstone courses designed to apply the knowledge from all your previous courses, usually in the form of an extensive research paper or engaged learning project. The upside is you actually probably really enjoy these classes but alas there is no room for slackers here.

Keep Reading...Show less
man in black crew neck t-shirt
Photo by Yogendra Singh on Unsplash

1. You're tired of school food and have resorted to surviving off junk food and cereal.

2. Your financial aid/money is running out...and chances are it all went to textbooks and takeout.

Keep Reading...Show less
man and woman
www.lifefactuality.com

We’ve all dated someone who just wasn’t quite right...but, why?

Here are nine reasons you're probably still too in denial to admit.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Laugh, Cry, and Relate: Chandler Bing's Best Quotes

Because Chandler Bing should be everyone's spirit animal.

123
Chandler Bing
Zimbio

Ah, Ms. Chanandler Bong, or Chandler Bing as he is better known as. For 10 years, Chandler brought us many laughs, many tears, and, well, Matthew Perry's fame. He is, personally, my favorite character on "Friends" because he made me laugh more than any other character on the show and I felt like I could relate to him more than the other characters on the show. Anyway, here are 10 Chandler Bing quotes that anyone can relate to... or graduates can at least...

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments