Know the difference between cold and flu | ASK A DOCTOR

"While cold and flu cases will begin to rise in our communities soon, there’s a lot you can do to prevent you and your family from getting sick. Here are some common tips I share with my patients."

November 6, 2015 4:35 pm

By Ashley K. Hamilton,
DO, MPH

Achoo! Are you starting to hear that noise more frequently in your household?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Americans have 1 billion colds a year and that we lose 22 million school days each year because of them. But this cold and flu season could be different! By staying informed and following a few preventive measures, you can improve your chances of staying healthy.

First, it’s important to know the difference between the flu and the common cold. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. The flu usually appears most frequently in the winter and early spring, but it can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The common cold is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Colds are tricky: some 200 different viruses can trigger the common cold—which means there is no one-size fits all option and it can be easy to catch a cold again after you’ve just gotten over one.

Both the cold and flu can bring about coughing, headaches and chest discomfort. With a cold, your nose and throat become inflamed, resulting in a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and an unpleasant cough. With the flu, you are likely to run a high fever for several days and experience body aches, fatigue and weakness.

Flu symptoms tend to come on more abruptly, often developing one to four days after first contact with the virus.

The flu is spread person to person through respiratory secretions. But the flu is not airborne; you generally need to come into direct contact with the virus. It typically sweeps through large groups of people who spend significant time in close contact, such as those in daycare facilities, classrooms, college dormitories, offices and nursing homes.

When the weather gets colder, we spend more time indoors where we’re in closer contact with potentially contagious people; therefore, sharing drinks, food and utensils is not ideal during cold and flu season. Similar to the flu, the common cold is spread person to person through direct contact, but a cold can be spread through the air, such as if someone near you sneezes into the air (versus into their sleeve).

While cold and flu cases will begin to rise in our communities soon, there’s a lot you can do to prevent you and your family from getting sick. Here are some common tips I share with my patients:

• Get your flu shot early. The best tactic for preventing the flu is to get the annual flu shot, which is available now. This helps ensure that as many people are protected before the season really gets going. However, it’s important to know that as long as the flu virus is circulating in a community, it’s never too late to get vaccinated. Flu vaccines are available in doctors’ offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, college health centers and near schools. Also, they are more frequently being offered by many employers.

• Wash your hands. Multiple times a day, with soap, for at least 20 seconds.

• Take vitamin C regularly. It will help boost your immune system.

• Eat your greens. Doubling up on fruits and vegetables during cold and flu season will help boost your immune system and keep your body filled with all the necessary nutrients.

• Make time for sleep. Take advantage of longer nights and log some more shut-eye. Your body will thank you.

• Stay hydrated. Fluids help thin out the mucus that your body makes when you’re sick. Drinking enough water helps clear out your system of unwanted germs.

• Don’t touch your face. Touching your face increases your interaction with the virus dramatically.

• Avoid others who are sick. Spending the day inside with someone under the weather raises your risk of catching a bug.

To help relieve cold or flu symptoms including sore throat, runny nose, fever, congestion and cough, try over-the-counter medications. But take note that there is no one perfect cold medicine. What works best for your friend’s cold might not work best for your symptoms. If you have questions or concerns, consult your primary care physician.

With the kids back in school, parents back at work and the germs starting to circulate, know that all is not lost! There are steps you can take to stay as healthy as possible this cold and flu season.

Ashley K. Hamilton, DO, MPH, practices internal medicine at the Pacific Medical Center Renton clinic.