- Cold & Flu Symptoms
- Transmission
- Signs You're Cured
- When to Seek Help
-
Comments
-
**COMMENTSTAGLIST**
-
More
-
**OTHERTAGLIST**
Both colds and the flu are contagious and are caused by viruses. However, the viruses that cause colds (for example, rhinoviruses) are not the same as those that cause the flu (influenza viruses).
Although the typical incubation period for influenza is about one to four days, some adults can be contagious from about one day before the onset of symptoms for up to two weeks. Other people who develop complications, such as pneumonia, may extend the contagious period for a week or two.
For colds, most individuals become contagious about a day before cold symptoms develop and remain contagious for about five to seven days. Some children may pass the flu virus for longer than seven days (occasionally for two weeks).
Colds are considered upper respiratory infections. The flu may also cause lower respiratory infections.
How do you know if I have a cold or the flu?
For both the cold and the flu, early symptoms may be similar. Symptoms and signs include a cough, runny nose, and feeling tired. If you know you have had contact with someone with a cold or the flu in the past few days, you should suspect you may have become infected. However, flu symptoms generally are more intense than cold symptoms.
People with flu can develop fever, body aches, chills, and headaches, and some develop nausea and vomiting. Cold symptoms are much milder and usually do not require medical care. However, if you suspect you have the flu, you should seek medical care.
The flu often can be diagnosed with rapid tests available to most physicians.
How are cold and flu viruses spread?
A common cold and the flu are easily spread from person to person, the flu most often by droplets produced by coughing and sneezing. Cold viruses in droplets are spread mainly hand to hand. These droplets contain infectious viruses.
Occasionally, these droplets land on various surfaces and, depending on the survivability of the virus type, can be transferred when an uninfected individual touches the contaminated surface and subsequently touches his/her mouth or nose.
QUESTION
See AnswerHow do you know if the flu or cold is gone?
In most instances, individuals with a cold will resolve their symptoms without medical intervention in about one week, although sometimes the cough may last longer. However, at this point, the cough is not spreading a contagious virus. When cold symptoms and signs resolve, a person is cured of the cold. The flu is similar except that the symptoms are more severe and, in some individuals, medical intervention may be required (for example, antiviral medications). However, depending upon the influenza strain and the severity of the infection, some individuals may require hospitalization. The cure for these individuals occurs when symptoms resolve and the patient is discharged from the hospital.
The stomach flu is not caused by cold or by flu viruses. The term stomach flu is a nonspecific term that describes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although these symptoms may occur with the flu, the flu is a respiratory infection. In most individuals with only stomach flu, the causes are usually non-flu-type viruses. Similarly, cold sores are not caused by cold viruses but by herpes viruses.
Health News
- Ozempic Lowers Odds for Death, Illness in People With Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes
- HPV Vaccine Is Also Preventing Cancers in Men
- Most Young Breast Cancer Survivors Can Have Children
- New Steps Towards a Male Birth Control Pill
- Subtle Mental Declines Occur Before Older Folk Quit Driving
- More Health News ยป
When should someone seek medical care for a cold or the flu?
Unless the person has medical problems, such as a depressed immune system, most individuals do not need to seek medical care for a cold. However, individuals with the flu may need to seek medical care under the following conditions:
- Fever that is continual or becomes high
- Shaking chills
- Coughing that produces bloody sputum and/or a greenish-yellow color
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or chest pressure
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Facial pain
If there is any question as to whether or not you have a cold or the flu, especially during flu season, you should seek medical care.
Top How Long Is a Cold or Flu Contagious Related Articles
Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.Cold, Fever and Flu Symptoms in Children: Medications and Home Remedies
How long does a cold last? How long is a cold contagious? Colds and fevers are some of the most common ailments in children. Learn common cold symptoms, treatment options, over the counter (OTC) medicines for cold and fever, home remedies, and how to relieve a sore throat.Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease.Chronic cough treatment is based on the cause, but may be soothed natural and home remedies.
Cold & Flu Quiz
Aches? Pain? Fever? This Cold & Flu Quiz tests your knowledge on the difference between coming down with the common cold and sickness from influenza virus.Cold and Cough Medicine for Infants and Children
The safety of giving infants and children over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicine is important for caregivers to understand. While there is no "gold standard" recommendation for giving infants and children OTC cold and cough medicine for fever, aches, cough, and runny nose, a few standards have been recommended.Cold and Flu: Finding Fast Cough Relief
Remedies for coughing to relieve symptoms, thin mucus, and clear phlegm include cough syrup and honey in hot water. Use suppressants to treat a dry cough. See a doctor when home remedies are not enough. Bronchitis or another condition may be to blame.Common Cold
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and sometimes a fever.How to Prevent the Common Cold
What home remedies work for the common cold? The common cold is arguably the most common human illness. Learn how long the common cold lasts and treatment for the common cold, and see how often people get colds.Common Cold Quiz
Take this quiz to learn the truth behind the infectious, contagious, uncomfortable disease known as the common cold. Test your knowledge of colds; get prevention tips, and learn what you may want to avoid when treating a cold!Headache
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.How to Get Rid of a Cold: Natural Remedies
What home remedies work to get rid of a cold fast? Many claim cold symptoms and flu symptoms can be relieved with Echinacea, zinc, neti pots, garlic, vitamin C, saltwater gargles, nasal strips, or bed rest. Find out what cold and flu treatments work the natural way, and what doesn't.Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many conditions including motion sickness, pregnancy, emotional stress, gallbladder disease, and other illnesses. Learn about causes, treatment, and when to be concerned.How to Differentiate Between the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19, Allergies, Cold, and Flu?
Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without the need for intensive or special treatment. Serious illness is more likely in elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer.Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
Mucus
Mucus is a standard substance produced by lining tissues in the body. Excess mucus or yellow, green, brown, or bloody mucus may indicate a problem. Mucus production may increase when allergies, a cold, flu, cough, or sore throat occur. Antihistamines and cold and flu medications may help alleviate excess mucus. A neti pot may be used to decrease nasal congestion and clear mucus.Which Flu Is Worse A or B?
Flu or influenza is a contagious (spreads from person to person) viral illness that affects the respiratory tract (the nose, throat and lungs). Type A influenza is generally considered worse than type B influenza.