Influenza or the Common Cold?

The following blog post was written by a friend and professional colleague named Betty Haswell PAC.

Betty is a PA with a background  in exercise science. She is a contributing author to my Blog and will be a future guest on Teleseminars.  Betty will have a special report available soon dealing with the subject of exercise and weight loss.

Influenza or the Common Cold?

By Betty Haswell, PA-C, MHS

Influenza and the common cold are both illness caused by viruses.  The symptoms of the common cold are typically milder than influenza and develop more slowly.  While there is no cure for either illness, there are different approaches to treatment and alleviation of symptoms.

Influenza A and B epidemics occur during winter in the United States.  Each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with influenza and nearly 36,00 people die from the “flu“.  The influenza vaccine can reduce your chances of contracting the illness.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly vaccine for people at high risk of complications from the flu, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease, and people 65 and older. A vaccine is also recommended for people who live with or care for those at high risk.

Over 200 different viruses are responsible for the common cold, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses and coronaviruses.   Colds are among the most common infections for adults and children.  In the US, they are more common during the fall and winter but occur year-round.  Because there are so many strains of cold viruses, it is not possible to gain complete immunity.  No vaccine is available for the common cold.

Both the influenza virus and the common cold are transmitted through aerosolized droplets from coughing or sneezing or from contact with saliva or nasal secretions from the infected person.  Infected individuals can infect others before they even begin to show symptoms.

Symptoms of influenza are sudden and usually start with fever over 102F, muscle aches and headache, followed rapidly by nasal congestion, fatigue, chills, nausea, reduced appetite and a dry cough.  The fever typically persists for 3-4 days and total symptom resolution takes 1-2 weeks

Symptoms of the common cold are more gradual and typically much less severe than influenza.  The illness usually starts as a general sense of malaise and a scratchy throat.  The symptoms are followed by occasional fever (usually not over 102F), nasal congestion, sneezing, headache, muscle aches and cough.  The symptoms usually resolve in 5-7 days but can last up to 14 days, with the cough lasting the longest.

The best treatment for both influenza and the common cold is prevention.  Frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth will help your avoid contact with the virus.  Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exericse and not smoking will also help.  Megadoses of vitamin C and zinc have not been proven to be effective at prevention.  The influenza vaccine will eliminate or reduce risk of influenza in many recipients.

Several different antiviral medications reduce the symptom severity and duration of influenza A and B.  They will not eliminate the symptoms or the possibility of severe complications.  These medications are available by prescription from your doctor and should be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.  Sometimes your doctor will recommend preventative or prophylactic treatment with antiviral medications.  There are no antiviral medications for treatment of the common cold.  Antibiotics are useful only in the setting of bacterial infections which are complications of the initial illness. Some examples of conditions requiring antibiotics include bacterial causes of sinusitis, pneumonia or ear infections.  Both influenza and the common cold are self-limiting illness that will be eliminated by the infected person’s immune system in healthy individuals.

While the symptoms persist, both illnesses can be treated with over-the-counter products.  Analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) can relieve fever, headaches and body aches.  Aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers suspected of having influenza because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.  Antitussives like dextromethoraphan can help reduce cough.  Mucolytics containing guaifenesin can thin mucus and decongestants can relieve nasal congestion and pressure.  None of these medications will speed resolution of the illness.

While not everyone with influenza or the common cold needs to seek medical treatment, your doctor can usually differentiate between influenza and the common cold.  There are laboratory tests that can be performed in your doctor’s office that test for influenza A and B.  These tests are not 100% accurate.  So, the diagnosis is often made based on the history and physical exam findings.  See your doctor if you have persistent fever or temperature>103F, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, bluish discoloration, mental status changes, confusion, vomiting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, rash, symptoms that do not improve in 4-5 days or persistent fever.

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