What you need to know about the cold and flu season

Brought to you by MERCY HEALTH

It’s still that time of year – when sniffles and sneezes seem to be all around you. To help you prepare for this year’s cold and flu season, Caitlin Spillan, a physician assistant with Mercy Health – Church Hill Walk-in Care, answers your most frequently asked questions about colds and the flu and how to tell the difference between the two.

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

While the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. On average, the flu is typically worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are more intense.

Colds generally last a few days, while the flu can last a few days to a few weeks.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of a common cold?

Colds are usually milder than the flu. With several hundred different viruses causing coldlike symptoms, there will be some variance, but in general, when you have a common cold you may experience a runny nose, sore throat, congestion, cough and increased mucus or drainage.

How do flu symptoms differ?

When you have the flu, you may have similar symptoms as with a cold, but the symptoms typically come on faster and more severe. Additionally, individuals with the flu often suffer from a fever, body aches, the chills and extreme tiredness.

Is it important to know the difference?

Individuals who have existing health issues and/or compromised immune systems should be extra cautious with the flu, as they could be at risk to develop serious complications such as pneumonia or bacterial infections.

Also, if you have the flu, antiviral medication can shorten your illness and prevent dangerous complications if taken within 48 hours of getting sick. These medications are available by prescription only. Your provider will determine whether antiviral medication is a safe and effective option for you.

How can I protect myself and my family against the cold and flu?

The good news is the precautions for avoiding the cold and the flu are mostly the same – with the key difference being that an annual flu vaccine is your best protection against the flu. Otherwise, you should wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

What should I do if I catch a cold or the flu?

If you do catch a cold or the flu, you can begin spreading the virus to others even before your own symptoms appear. To protect others, stay home when you are sick and always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue handy, sneeze or cough against your upper arm or elbow to avoid spreading germs.

Most people with a cold or the flu can recover safely at home. Seek medical care right away if you are at risk for flu-related complications, if you feel very ill or your symptoms haven’t subsided after a week.

Whether you have a cold, the flu or another illness, Mercy Health – Walk-in Care and Urgent Care is ready to serve you and your family. For a full list of locations close to you and with hours that extend into the evening and weekends, visit www.mercy.com. You also can schedule appointments with primary care physicians using the new online scheduling tool on the Mercy Health website.