MBBS; M.RAD ( Kasturba Medical College, India/ University of Malaya)
Influenza and the common cold.
“Feed a fever starve a cold”
This is a common adage we have heard from our grandparents, however experts say that this is not true anymore and we should feed a fever and a cold.
In the recent years, there has been advice to take the flu vaccine. Most of us have encountered a runny nose, cough and sore throats however there is a difference between the common cold and the flu. The common cold is not as virulent as the flu virus and of late with mutation, the virus has become more virulent.
The latest virus in 2018 causing influenza outbreak has been identified as a virulent
Influenza A – H3N2 strain. This started during the holiday break of November 2017 and thus more people were affected and it became widespread.
How to differentiate between the common cold and the flu based on the criteria from the Centre of disease control.
| Signs and symptoms | FLU | COLD |
| Onset | Abrupt | Gradual |
| Fever | Common | Rare |
| Chills | Common | Uncommon |
| Cough | Common | Mild |
| Body ache | Usual | Slight |
| Sneezing | Sometimes | Common |
| Stuffy nose | Sometimes | Very common |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common |
| Headaches | Common | Rare |
| Vomiting | Common | Rare |
Those afflicted by the common cold usually recover fast however the flu will take longer to recover and sometimes especially in children and older people, there can be complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, ear or sinus infections.
When to get help:
If ever doesn’t subside after 48 hours.
If you have chest pains or breathing difficulties.
If vomiting doesn’t stop.
If you feel fatigued, confused.
So how do we prevent or avoid getting sick.
Don’t go to crowded areas, like shopping malls or theaters during an outbreak.
Wash hands regularly.
Don’t use common towels.
Clean common surfaces with antiseptic wipes.
Launder bedding after recovering from a flu.
Clean humidifiers.
Drink lots of fluids.
Get a flu vaccine.