There are dozens of ways to describe the symptoms of your sickness. While they are not the best thing to talk about, these signs help your doctor diagnose the problem. That is why it is crucial to spot the difference between the signs of cold vs. flu to get treated accordingly. Let’s find out some more signs that mark the differences.
- Signs of Cold
- Congestion
Congestion is the feeling of fullness in your nose, accompanied by sneezing and runny or stuffy nose. It also makes it difficult to breathe through your nose. Congestion is the most common symptom of a cold.
- Cough
Cough in the common cold is usually dry hacking. However, if you notice thick mucus followed by a painful cough, then you should talk to your doctor immediately.
- Watery Eyes
Runny eyes feel like your eyes are tearing up. It is usually accompanied by itchiness inside your nose and throat. Note that these symptoms are also signs of allergies. But if they stay longer than two weeks, you must see a doctor immediately.
- Headache
Congestion can put extra pressure on your sinus that can lead to headaches and your head feeling heavy.
- Muscle Aches
Common cold can also cause mild pain in your muscles. However, it is never too intense to prevent you from going about your day.
- Fatigue
Feeling tired and heavy, like you have not had enough sleep or don’t have the energy to carry out your day-to-day tasks, is a common symptom of a cold. But it is never too severe that it prevents you from functioning.
- Signs of Flu
- Fever
A person suffering from flu will have a high body temperature. Whereas people with the common cold rarely ever have a fever.
- Fatigue
The cold makes you feel tired, but flu drains every bit of energy out of you, making you feel exhausted. If you are feeling too fatigued to even get out of your bed, then it could be a sign of flu.
- Body Aches
When your body is in excruciating pain, it is considered a symptom of flu. It is one of the most visible tell-tale signs that differentiate flu from the common cold.
- Chills and Cough
Chills are a common sign of flu that is caused due to high body temperature. Moreover, unlike dry cough observed in someone suffering from the common cold, a cough in flu is accompanied by thick yellow phlegm.
- Nausea and Indigestion
While this is not a common flu symptom, you should not overlook it if you are experiencing nausea and indigestion in combination with other above-mentioned symptoms.
When you educate yourself about the signs of cold vs. flu, you will be able to discuss your symptoms with the doctor. It helps them perform an accurate diagnosis and put you on the right treatment plan. However, you need to know that antibiotics cannot treat viral infections. They can only suppress your symptoms to alleviate your suffering.
