Colds and the flu are the most common flu-like illnesses in the United States each year. However, they are caused by completely different viruses so they are very hard to distinguish from one another. Due to this, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between them based purely on outward symptoms. That said, if you do feel like you have either of these illnesses you may want to consult your doctor. Here are some things you need to know.
Cold: This illness is most commonly characterized by a runny nose or sneezing. You may also experience a cough and fatigue. Sometimes, you will even develop chills or a fever. Many people who suffer from this illness may even notice a sore throat, headache and nausea. To get rid of cold, you should start with warm baths, eating foods that contain Vitamin A and taking supplements of Vitamin C. If you have this illness, you will need to make sure to stay away from people who are infected with the virus. You may also want to try taking over the counter medications such as nasal sprays, cough suppressants and antihistamines.
Flu: This illness is caused by a virus that causes a high fever and the presence of a headache
Some people may also experience a severe headache and vomiting. If you have the flu, you will need to avoid contact with people who have the virus, especially infants and the elderly.
Because these types of ailments have so many different ways of affecting your body, they can often become confused. That being said, there are a few ways in which to know if you have a cold or a flu. The most common symptoms are: sneezing, a runny nose, congestion and a headache.
There are also a few different types of tests you can take if you suspect you have either of these illnesses. If you are having any fever or have symptoms of an infection, you should go see a doctor.
If you suspect you do not have these symptoms, you may want to consider using home remedies that are natural and free of side effects
In many cases, if you use natural home remedies you may be able to cure both cold and flu. If you can use an over the counter product that contains the exact same ingredients as one of the main types of illness, you may be able to treat both at once. However, if these medications do not work you may want to look to see a doctor for treatment options.
Some examples of cold remedies include: adding a glass of hot milk to a cup of tea and taking an antibiotic before you go to bed, putting on a small bandage and putting on a hot compress before bed, using a vapor rub and placing it on your chest before you go to bed, drinking several ounces of water before you sleep, taking an antiviral cream and then taking the same cream during the day, or eating yogurt each night. Another example of flu remedy is to use an antibiotic when you get sick and then eat a glass of yogurt. There are also a number of recipes for hot drinks that can give you a hot drink and provide relief from the pain and inflammation associated with colds and flu. You can find some recipes on the internet, and if you are having trouble with your memory, you can get information online as well.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that you can treat the different types of infections that cause the above illnesses. As long as you take care to follow your diet and stay away from other viruses, you should be safe.
