Is it a Cold or the Flu?!


Question: Is it a Cold or the Flu.?
Okay, so I woke up on Friday feeling horrible. I was weak, aching, coughing, sore throat. I thought I had the flu. I was able to eat fine though without vomiting.
Yesterday was the same, and I've been getting rest from those two days.
Today I wake up and I'm coughing, I have a sore throat and a stuffy nose. I'm not weak or aching anymore though.
So yea, I just want to know if I have a cold or the flu now, because I don't want to go out anywhere with the flu.
Thanks in advanced. =)Health Question & Answer


Answers:
Here are some things a physician uses to help determine if you have a flu:

Fever higher than 100 degrees, Chills, Headache, Extreme tiredness, Dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, chest discomfort, some stomach symptoms may result in vomiting and bowel problems like diarrhea, and rapid onset of these symptoms.

Now with a cold it is rare to have a fever- so anything under 100 most likely is a cold. A hacking mucus-producing cough, slight body aches, stuffy nose - a stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu., chills are not common with cold, tiredness is mild with cold vs more severe with flu, sneezing greater with cold, cold develops over days and flu has rapid onset within 3-6 hours & hits hard, headache more common with flu not as common with cold, sore throat more common with cold, chest discomfort is usually mild with cold.

So here is a quick list when a Dr. thinks their patient is dealing with the flu:
1. Rapid onset of symptoms 3-6 hours
2. Fever higher than 100 degree F.
3. Dry cough
4. Severe aches
5. Chills
6. Severe tiredness
7. Headaches in 80% of cases
8. Chest discomfort often severe
9. Stomach problems often present

From what you have shared in your run down it would appear that you probably are dealing with a nasty cold. Here is my reasoning based on the information you gave: Stuffy nose, no high temperatures, no discussion of headache, sore throat, no real weakness, and no complaints of chest discomfort. A sore throat is not as prevalent in flu symptoms.

Please realize that either disease can be contagious, but if you don't sneeze or cough on someone that is a plus. Do not share your drinks with others, and if your symptoms get worse please contact your physician for advise.

Hopefully a "Cold" is all you are dealing with. Colds are bad enough but some forms of flu can be dangerous. I can not ethically tell you how to treat your cold because I have not examined you, but you sound like you have good common sense, and although colds are a pain, with rest, fluids, and your choice of cold remedies you should be able to banish this thing from your body in a few days. I pray God will give you a speedy recovery.Health Question & Answer

you can have tonsillitis or strep throat. or if not, maybe it's just a cold. drink plenty of warm drinks and avoid cold ones. and also avoid cold places. eat medicines on time and maybe you can get rid of them. hope this will help you :)

get well soon!Health Question & Answer

The cold and flu are very similar the main difference between them is the flu usually involves fever and fatigue while the cold doesn't.Health Question & Answer

Impossible to say...with the flu though..you would normally be feverish and need to sleep alotHealth Question & Answer



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