Rhinitis, cold, cold, rhinitis, flu
Introduction
Colloquially one often does not differentiate between the terms flu, cold or flu-like infection. On the basis the symptoms this is also not at all so simple, since both with a flu (influenza) and with a cold (flu-like infection) cough, sore throat and exhaustion occur as main complaints. However, there are certain differences between the two clinical pictures and it is important to differentiate between them, as a cold is annoying but usually heals without any problems. The flu, on the other hand, is to be taken very seriously as a disease, as it is usually more severe. Especially elderly people or weakened persons are at risk of serious complications, such as pneumonia.
Different triggers
Both flu and colds are transmitted via droplet infection. This means that the pathogens pass from person to person, for example when coughing or sneezing. Transmission can also occur through direct contact, for example when washing hands or touching a door handle.
A big difference between the two diseases is the pathogens, namely the different types of viruses. A cold can be triggered by a large number of different cold viruses, in total well over 100 different viruses can trigger a cold. The majority of colds are caused by the so-called rhinoviruses.
Influenza flu is caused by only one type of virus, the so-called influenza virus. The season also plays an important role. Colds primarily occur during the cold season, while influenza can occur all year round. Although more frequent in winter, there is also the so-called summer flu.
Symptom comparison
A cold is more likely to develop gradually, while a flu usually has a very sudden onset. High fever (over 39 degrees Celsius) and a very pronounced feeling of illness characterize the clinical picture of influenza. Colds, on the other hand, usually show no increase in body temperature.
Typically, a runny nose and a stuffy nose occur with a cold, and sore throats also show up at the beginning with an unpleasant “scratching” in the throat, whereas these symptoms occur rather rarely with influenza. Coughing often occurs in the course of a cold, while with influenza a dry cough often occurs at the beginning. Usually, influenza is also accompanied by headaches, muscle and limb pain and severe fatigue and exhaustion.
v Muscle and limb pain is also typical of a cold, but headaches are only partial, and fatigue and general feeling of illness are only moderately pronounced. Usually everything is over after one week. A flu usually lasts much longer than a cold and is often accompanied by the typical symptoms of loss of appetite, chills and sometimes shortness of breath.
