Colds and Flu

Colds and Flu

The common cold is a viral infection of the linings found within the nose, sinuses, throat and large airways.  Colds are caused by many different viruses.

• Picornaviruse’s, such as the rhinoviruses, cause most spring, summer, and fall colds. 
• Influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial viruses cause a spectrum of illnesses, including colds. These appear regularly in the late fall and winter months.

Influenza viruses spread easily from person to person. This happens due to infected droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air being inhaled by healthy individuals. Rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses are also spread this way but can also be contracted through direct contact with infected secretions carried on the fingers.
Why a person is more likely to become infected at one time than another isn’t entirely known. Becoming chilled doesn’t by itself cause colds or increase a person’s susceptibility to contracting an infection by a respiratory virus. Likewise an abnormality of the nose or throat such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids does not seem to make a difference.
It has however been noted that people who are fatigued or emotionally distressed, those who have allergies of the nose and throat and women who are halfway between menstrual periods may be more likely to notice the symptoms of a cold.

Symptoms of a Common Cold

The symptoms of the common cold start 1 to 3 days after infection. The first symptoms are usually discomfort in the nose and throat. The person may later start sneezing, have a runny nose and feel mildly ill. The fever does not usually develop however one may experience slight feverish symptoms at the beginning of a cold or flu.  As time progresses secretions from the nose may change from watery and clear to thicker, opaque and yellow-greenish in color. Many people also develop a cough. These symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although the cough often lasts into the second week. Complications from infection may however prolong ones symptoms.
Influenza (flu) is a viral infection that causes a fever, runny nose, coughing, headaches, a feeling of illness (malaise) and inflammation of the linings within the nose and airways. Many respiratory viruses can cause the symptoms of influenza, however the Influenza A or Influenza B virus is usually responsible for causing epidemics in late fall and winter. The virus is spread by inhaling infected droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or having direct contact with an infected person’s secretions. It can also occasionally be spread by handling infected household articles.

Symptoms of the Flu

Flu symptoms differ from the common cold. Symptoms start 24 to 48 hours after infection and can begin suddenly. Chills or a chilly sensation may be the initial indication of influenza. During the first few days, fever is common. Many people feel sufficiently ill and as a result, remain in bed. Aches and pains may be present throughout the body. These pains may be more pronounced in the back and legs. Headaches are often severe, with aching around and behind the eyes. Respiratory symptoms may be relatively mild at first with a scratchy throat, a burning sensation in the chest, a dry cough and a runny nose. The cough may later become severe and bring up sputum. The skin may be warm and flushed. The ill person, especially a child, may have nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms of the flu usually disappear rapidly after 2 or 3 days and if a fever is present, it usually also subsides after this period. The fever can however last for up to 5 days in some cases. Bronchitis and coughing may persist for 10 days or longer. Changes in the airways may take 6 to 8 weeks to completely resolve. Weakness and fatigue may persist for several days or occasionally for weeks.