Every year, we encounter colds, coughs and hoarseness at every turn during the cold season. People talk about colds, flu or flu-like infections – but what is behind these terms? What’s the difference and how can you tell which illness your symptoms point to? We bring light into the darkness, so that a distinction between cold and flu will no longer cause you problems.
Common cold or flu-like infection?
A cold or flu-like infection – which means the same thing – generally refers to a viral illness that manifests itself with a cold, cough and other general symptoms. About 200 different types of viruses can cause a cold, so you can have several colds in quick succession. The pathogens are so diverse (rhino, adeno and coronaviruses) that vaccination is not possible – fortunately, the illnesses are usually not life-threatening. Mostly colds occur in the cold season, but they also exist as summer flu. It is quite different with the real flu.
What is the flu?
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. A distinction is made between three groups of influenza viruses, whose genetic material permanently changes somewhat – which is why certain risk groups should undergo a flu vaccination once a year. The problematic aspect of the real flu is the severe course of the disease with the typical cold symptoms, which are, however, much more pronounced here. Under certain circumstances, the lungs (pneumonia), heart (inflammation of the heart muscle and pericardium) or brain (tissue inflammation) can also be affected. Influenza can be particularly dangerous for certain risk groups. In addition to people with pre-existing conditions, these include older people and pregnant women. In recent years, there have been repeated infectious diseases with flu symptoms that have caused a worldwide stir – SARS, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and avian flu are examples of viral infections that can also be dangerous for humans.
Symptoms of cold and flu and recognize them.
Flu and the common cold are initially manifested by the same complaints and symptoms. Typical symptoms are:
- Sore throat
- Common cold
- Cough
- Hoarseness
Often then shivering heralds a rise in temperature and fever is accompanied by chills. Aches and pains in the limbs come as well as headaches. Weakness, faintness and loss of appetite complete the clinical picture. In the case of real flu, the symptoms and complaints often start suddenly and are so severe that the sufferer can tell to the hour when the flu started. In addition, it is often associated with high fever (up to 41 °C). A particularly dry, agonizing cough is also typical. The best tips against cold symptoms.
Differentiation from other diseases
Other diseases also begin with a cold or watery eyes – for example, hay fever or allergic rhinitis with house dust allergy. With rhinitis, cough and hoarseness also announces another group of diseases – the childhood diseases measles, mumps, rubella and Co. After a few days, the typical skin rash often appears, making diagnosis easier. In the case of repeated and persistent colds in childhood, a congenital immunodeficiency may also be behind it – however, up to six colds per year in childhood are not a cause for concern.
Possible complications of colds and flu
A snuffy nose is found in the vast majority of cases of a cold. As soon as the cold spreads to the sinuses, it is called sinusitis. A slight conjunctivitis or a spread of the pathogen into the middle ear (via the Eustachian tube) with inflammation of the middle ear occurs frequently, especially during the first days of illness. When the viruses spread towards the lungs, cough shows bronchial involvement (acute bronchitis), which without countermeasures can grow into pneumonia. The nose is almost always affected in colds, its surroundings (sinuses, eyes and ears) often, the bronchi fortunately less often. While in the case of a normal cold the extension to the neighboring organs (sinuses, eyes or bronchial tubes) can be considered a complication, in the case of influenza the lungs, heart and brain can also be damaged – pneumonia, myocarditis or inflammation of the brain tissue occur.
Complications in young children
Especially in infants, even a trivial cold quickly leads to poor general health. Babies breathe almost exclusively through their nose – and refuse to drink when their nose is blocked because it is too difficult to alternate between breathing and swallowing. In infancy, the swollen mucous membranes often lead to middle ear infections.
The risk of superinfection
Since the disease weakens the immune system and the mucous membranes are sensitive, bacteria such as pneumococci also have an easy game and can cause a so-called superinfection (imposed second infection). Then the viral pneumonia is superimposed by the bacterial one.
Diagnosis: flu or the common cold?
There are several ways to diagnose influenza or the common cold:
- Anamnesis (ask medical history): duration and severity of symptoms can provide information on whether it is more likely a cold or flu.
- Inspection (looking at), palpation (palpation), percussion (tapping) and auscultation (listening): a snuffy nose is easily recognized by the reddened, swollen mucous membranes and if it hurts when tapping the forehead or cheekbones. Then usually the sinuses are inflamed. With an otoscope (the ear mirror), you can see a reddened eardrum and perhaps some fluid behind it if you have a middle ear infection. The oral cavity and pharynx are usually reddened, and the palatine tonsils are swollen or covered with white stipples in the case of a secondary bacterial infection. When coughing, you can hear rales over the bronchi with a stethoscope, and in pneumonia, the breathing sounds over the affected area are altered.
- Ultrasound, x-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): imaging techniques are usually not needed for a cold. Advanced inflammation of the sinuses can be seen on ultrasound or x-ray. An x-ray is usually obtained to rule out pneumonia. CT and MRI are used in dramatic courses of influenza to clarify heart or brain involvement.
- Further investigations in case of complications: If a secondary bacterial infection is suspected, smears of the palatine tonsil, mucus samples or blood tests can provide information about the type of pathogen. In the case of pneumonia, X-rays show the course – does the inflammation regress after starting therapy or does an abscess form? In the case of myocarditis, the heart rhythm changes, which can be checked with the ECG.
Prevention through a strong immune system
A well-functioning immune system is the basic prerequisite for getting through the winter in good health – a vitamin-rich diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, plenty of exercise in the fresh air, visits to the sauna or regular Kneipp treatments are just a few ways to strengthen the immune system. A weakened immune system makes itself felt by the fact that one infection takes over from the next and the symptoms of illness increase. In addition to diet and exercise, “cold etiquette” is also an important measure to prevent infection:
- Avoid shaking hands as much as possible
- Avoid crowds
- Operate nasal “wellness”, for example by inhaling
10 tips for a strong immune system
Flu vaccination to protect against influenza
Against the real flu only one remedy helps: the annual flu vaccination. Especially elderly people, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases are considered at risk patients – they are particularly recommended the flu vaccination and also the pneumococcal vaccination. Since the genetic material of influenza viruses is always changing, the vaccination protection must be renewed annually, because even in Germany there is a risk of an influenza epidemic.
Home remedies and recipes against colds.
In every family, recipes of home remedies against colds and flu are passed on – be it from the much-vaunted onion decoction of the great-aunt or from the chicken soup, which one knows from childhood. Many of these home recipes help so well that you can easily cure a cold with them. At the same time, you should not forget to inhale, because the swollen nasal mucosa is grateful for this help to loosen mucus.For headaches and aching limbs, a pain pill or over-the-counter flu medicine is sometimes helpful – whether acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), acetaminophen, or another active ingredient, remember never to give ASA to children because of the side effects. Since both the flu and an influenza infection are caused by viruses, antibiotics do not help. They are therefore only used if there is also a secondary bacterial infection. If symptoms persist for a longer period of time, you should always consult your doctor – this way, serious illnesses don’t stand a chance.
