Coughs, colds, hoarseness in the Winter are not uncommon. Usually it is not a true flu, but “only” a cold. This is also uncomfortable, but relatively harmless in comparison. FOCUS Online explains how you can differentiate the two infectious diseases.

In a nutshell: Both the flu and the common cold are viral infections. Influenza starts suddenly, while Cold symptoms are on the increase. In addition, the course of a flu can be hard, even life-threatening. A cold is usually harmless, although the symptoms can be very unpleasant. Against the flu, there is not an effective vaccine against colds.

A flu and a cold: Both the flu and the common cold are infectious diseases and both are caused by viruses. Both diseases are transmitted by airborne droplets – through coughing, Sneezing and Talking. A direct contact can be enough to infect. This can be a simple handshake or a kiss. However, there are also differences:

Influenza and the common cold – the differences

A cold creeps in, a. So you can start with a small snort. The major complaints a gradually – sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. In contrast, a real flu makes use of RAID-like: The violent symptoms occur suddenly and without warning.

Over 200 different viruses can a cold cause, while the real flu is only by actual flu virus is caused.

The Severity of the gradient is different. So a cold is unpleasant, but ultimately harmless. A flu infection takes a severe course, it can be life-threatening.

Some of the symptoms of the two infectious diseases resemble each other in many ways. The flu, however, are significantly more pronounced than that of a common cold. The best visible difference is the fact that you can have with a cold still have a relatively normal daily routine – with a flu, you are safe in bed.

Against a cold you can through a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet to prevent, however, is not quite out of the way. The inoculation can be send in any case. Against the flu, there is a good effective Vaccination. Due to the potentially severe course of the flu vaccination is recommended for sure, Especially for certain risk groups, such as, for example, older people should make use of it.

Real influenza is a serious infectious disease

The flu, medically Influenza is caused by infection with influenza viruses. You have caught a flu virus, it does not take long until the first symptoms show. This can be after a few hours or up to three days.

Who gets a flu, it hits suddenly and violently. Among the typical first symptoms of a flu:

• Sudden and very high fever, over 39 degrees to 41 degrees, the days long-lasting
• Chills
• Cough and runny nose
• Neck pain and hoarseness
• Shortness of breath
• severe headache
• Muscle and limb pain
• Back pain and pain behind the breastbone
• Loss of appetite and Nausea
• Severe exhaustion and a strong feeling of illness

This is what makes Influenza so dangerous

The flu weakens the body so much so that bacteria have an easy game. The risk, added to that of flu infection, other bacterial infections, is so very large. This is the case, increase the flu symptoms in addition to, and weakens the body even more. Therefore, pneumonia is rare, for example, for the flu.

Viral infections are difficult to treat, such as bacterial infections. Therefore, the treatment of a flu is usually only in the relief of symptoms. Only in the case of a very severe flu special Flu remedy. It comes with a flu to an additional infection with bacteria, it is treated with antibiotics.

Often very unpleasant, but ultimately harmless – the cold

In the case of a common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. Affected are the nose and the throat. Consequently, a common cold makes the following complaints:

• Cough
• Runny nose
• Hoarseness
• Possibly A Headache
• Sometimes temperature, Shivering, and increased
• General Feeling Of Illness

Anyone who has a cold, complains about a Scraping and dryness in the throat. Also, the Swallowing is painful. Because like the flu, a cold virus is caused only alleviated the discomfort. Helpful rest, lozenges pain against the neck, and possibly a nasal spray to the mucous membranes slightly down.