I was looking for something for my daughter for a sore throat the other day- and the symptom list on the medications was pretty much the same. If someone can tell me the difference between the two- I would appreciate it!
2006-10-20 06:52:28 · 11 answers · asked by rottymom02 5 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Both are caused by viruses, but different viruses. Common cold is caused by more than 100 viruses. Flu, or influenza, is caused by basically two types of viruses, but they mutate constantly and become different.
Common cold typically affects only the upper respiratory tract: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea.
Flu affects the whole body and you can see systemic manifestations, like fever, malaise, muscular pains, etc, besides the upper respiratory tract symptoms.
Something important: flu may complicate with bacterial infections, like pneumonia and become lethal
2006-10-20 07:02:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
okay, a cold can refer to anything from an in fection that your body creates a fever to try to clean it out- to an actual virus that is contagious....a flu, wich will start out as just aregular cold in its symptoms-is really a virus, you have to catch it from somebody, and it can be deadly if it is turned into pneumonia(although where there are antibiotics- this is kinda rare), the flu will be accompanied by soore muscles,muscle spasms, vomiting, weakness, and a very high fever..... its way worse than a cold- if you or someone you know has the flu- i suggest about1200 mg of vitamin c- then go and get them to a doctor so that they can get some medicine......hope it was just a question though! :)
2006-10-20 13:59:26 · answer #2 · answered by nickname4anne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are caused by viruses. However, the common cold usually does not produce fevers, chills and body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Runny nose and sneezing is also not usually associated with the flu.
Those are how you can differentiate the two.
2006-10-20 13:55:16 · answer #3 · answered by phantomlimb7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cold, you just have the cough and runny nose type stuff maybe a headache. But the flu, you feel like you were just hit by a truck!
2006-10-20 14:01:44 · answer #4 · answered by someoneoutthere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Flu is worst than a cold because it last longer and it also makes u feel much worst than a cold.
2006-10-20 13:55:23 · answer #5 · answered by chinese baby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You experience fever and your muscles ache went you have the flu.
A cold is merely a sore throat and a stuffy nose.
2006-10-20 13:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by CrAzY-B|TcH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cold is = light headaches and fever and runny nose and coughs
Flu = infection of mouth throat and lungs. high fever and heavy coughing sometimes resulting with water in the lungs which is dangerous for older adults.
2006-10-20 13:59:48 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cold doesn't have all the body aches that the flu does.
2006-10-20 13:54:05 · answer #8 · answered by Mommymonster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basically if it comes on suddenly and she hurts all over and doesn't want to move its the flu. If it comes on slow and she slowly starts to feel crappy its a cold.
2006-10-20 13:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
COLD = LOW GRADE FEVER
SORE THROAT , RUNNY NOSE , STUFFY NOSE COUGH
FLU= HIGH FEVER , CHILLS , LOSS OF APPEPTITE , COUGHING , VOMITING , DIARRHEA, SORE THROAT, FATIGUE
2006-10-20 13:54:44 · answer #10 · answered by SWM 38 _4_ YOUNG GF 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋