5 Differences Between Colds and Flu
This post is about, The 5 Surprising Differences Between Colds and Flu in 2022. Cold vs flu. let’s get started first with:
What is the cold?
The cold is a contagious respiratory infection that usually lasts only a few days, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, it can be more serious for people with underlying medical conditions.
The virus that causes the common cold lives on our hands, so most people catch the cold by touching their nose or eyes after they’ve touched something that’s been contaminated by someone else who was sick.
what is the flu?
The flu is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads around the world every year during flu season, usually between October and April.
While the flu affects people of all ages, it can be particularly serious for infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with chronic illnesses like asthma or heart disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza viruses infect 5–20% of Americans annually. A typical cold usually lasts around three to seven days but can last up to 10 days.
The 5 differences between cold and flu
The difference between cold and flu may seem simple to some. but the truth is, that these two illnesses are very different from one another in many ways.
Not only that but there are several differences between colds and flu in 2022 than there were a few years ago. so if you want to stay up-to-date with current health trends, it’s important to be aware of the following five surprising differences between colds and flu in 2022.
1) The viruses
The viruses themselves are similar. The common cold is a viral infection, typically caused by either rhinoviruses or coronaviruses (other causes include adenoviruses, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, and enterovirus).
Influenza is also a viral infection, but it’s caused by flu viruses. There are three types of influenza viruses: A (like H1N1), B, and C.
While there are similarities between colds and flu when it comes to treatment, that’s where most of their similarities end. Here’s what else you should know about these pesky upper respiratory infections.
Do you know the differences between Viruses and bacteria?
2) How they spread
- Cold and flu viruses spread through airborne transmission. For example, when a person with a cold or flu virus exhales, he or she releases tiny droplets of fluid containing viruses into the surrounding air.
- These droplets can be picked up by another person if that person is within six feet. Most people who are exposed to either cold or flu will not get sick themselves; however, those that do become infected typically develop symptoms within 24 hours.
- People who have been previously exposed to a particular virus may still catch it again from someone else but are more likely to experience milder symptoms than those whose bodies have no prior immunity.
3) Severity of symptoms
While symptoms of both colds and flu may include runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, and headache, flu symptoms are usually much more severe.
In many cases, people with the flu experience fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The CDC estimates that nearly 200,000 Americans have to go to an emergency room each year because of their symptoms.
Most people recover within a week; however, some can experience complications from a virus like pneumonia or end up suffering from secondary infections like bacterial sinusitis or strep throat.
4) Treatments available
If you have a cold, your doctor will likely offer you an antiviral medication to help treat your symptoms. Antivirals work by inhibiting an enzyme called neuraminidase that’s produced by certain viruses, which is needed for those viruses to spread.
When neuraminidase is inhibited, it can’t break down sialic acid on cell surfaces, thus preventing those cells from being infected by viruses. Influenza has no such antiviral medication available.
5) Increase likelihood of having more than one illness at once
The more people you’re around, whether at work or in your personal life, the more likely it is that you’ll catch something. It’s not a huge surprise: There are just more chances for germs to transfer from one person to another.
The average American can expect about three colds every year; if you’re infected with one of those, there’s a good chance that you could pick up a second before you shake out of it.
This article explored five surprising differences between colds and flu in 2022. Differences such as who is most at risk for each virus and which symptoms are most common. By understanding these differences, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones from catching a cold or the flu.