If you want to remain healthy, preparation is critical. However, there is no true preparation without knowledge backing a person up. You need the know-how to keep yourself healthy, and how to treat yourself for the times that you do not feel like yourself. Having an idea of what’s going on with your body can help you choose the appropriate response. We just went over how to tell the difference between the coronavirus and allergies, but knowing if what you have is the cold or flu is also still helpful at this time. Cold and flu season can stretch itself into the spring season, even if we are past its peak, so it is essential that you can distinguish between conditions.
Cold and flu season still has not officially left us yet, so knowing how to distinguish between the two can go a long way in keeping you healthy. If you are trying to figure out if you have the flu or are just suffering from a cold, check out these helpful tips!
• Are you feeling achy? If so, the chances of you having a cold are slim, and more than likely, your discomfort is flu-related. While aches can occur with a cold, the key is that aches and pains often occur immediately when you have the flu, and not days later.
• Getting hit with waves of exhaustion, especially when paired with feelings of aches and pains, is another indicator that what you are feeling is the flu and not the cold. If you have a cold and it’s not allowing you to fall asleep, that’s one thing. However, the sudden onset of fatigue is more of an indicator of the flu and not the cold.
• Sneezing too much can be hard to handle. However, the act of sneezing is an excellent indicator that it’s a cold that is plaguing you and not the flu. So keep the tissues handy, and be on the lookout for thick green or yellow mucus discharge. The color of your snot can be an indicator if you have something more severe.
• Do you have a fever? If you are trying to distinguish between having a cold, and having the flu, checking to see if you have a fever is the first step. While a fever can be a sign of another condition, it knocks out the possibility of you having a cold. Having a fever, along with a cold, is nonexistent, so if you are feeling feverish, chances are you are not suffering from the cold.
• Is your nose like Niagara Falls, or is it stuffed up? If you said yes to either than chances are you are dealing with a cold and not the flu. However, these symptoms can be present with the flu, so pay attention to what other symptoms you are experiencing. If fever and a cough accompany your stuffy or runny nose, chances are you are experiencing the flu.
• Feeling chilly is typically not a symptom of having a cold, but instead another indicator that you may have the flu. Having the chills can be a likely symptom of the flu, especially when they are paired up with a fever. However, if you are experiencing chills along with a high fever, make an appointment with your doctor immediately.
Similar Posts: