What is a cold?
Cold and flu may seem similar, but it’s important to understand the differences between the two.
The common cold is a viral infection of the nose, throat and nasal sinuses characterised by inflammation, discharge and nasal congestion.
On average, adults usually have three to four colds each year1. Children generally tend to get as many as eight colds a year2.
Symptoms to look for include:
- sore throat
- runny nose
- post nasal drip
- watery eyes
- nasal stuffiness and a
- cough
A child with a cold may have a slight fever, but fever with a cold is unusual in adults.
What is the Flu?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral infection of the air passages and lungs. The flu is caused by a different set of viruses to a cold, and although some symptoms are similar to a cold, symptoms of the flu tend to be more severe.
In addition to symptoms of a cold, a person suffering from the flu will also have muscular aches and pains, followed by a sudden onset of chills and fever developing over a 24-hour period. A severe headache is common, followed by a sore throat, a dry cough, sore or inflamed eyes and a general feeling of listlessness. Nausea and vomiting may occur in children.
What to do when you have a cold or a flu?
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever. Liquids are also soothing to a dry, irritated throat, and may help relieve coughing.
- Get adequate rest in a well-ventilated room.
- Use a cold-mist vaporiser to increase the humidity in the air. This can help loosen mucus and relieve a dry throat (be sure to clean the vaporiser after each use).
- Use a symptomatic reliever, such as Dimetapp Cold, Cough and Flu products to help you get some well-deserved relief.
1. http://www.health.vic.gov.au/edfactsheets/colds-flu.pdf Accessed 17 June 2009 ( PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader; click here to download this free program.)
2. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/cold.html Accessed 18 June 2009
