Do You Have
A COLD OR THE FLU?
Both illnesses can make you miserable!
But each is caused by different bugs that settle
in different places. Below, our
experts explain how to tell them apart.
flu
WHAT CAUSES IT
WHAT IT TARGETS
HOW YOU GET IT
THE SYMPTOMS
THE END RESULT
HOW IT'S TREATED
HOW TO PREVENT IT
cold
questions
A: You may have pneumonia. It’s most dangerous when you’re pregnant, chronically ill, or very young or very old. Call the doctor if you cough up yellow or green mucus, are short of breath/breathe rapidly, feel pain when inhaling or have persistent fever.
Different strains of 2 influenza viruses.
WHAT CAUSES IT
WHAT IT TARGETS
HOW YOU GET IT
THE SYMPTOMS
THE END RESULT
HOW IT'S TREATED
HOW TO PREVENT IT
A: When it’s “stomach flu” or “24-hour flu.”
The viruses that trigger severe vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis) make you just as miserable. But they’re different from flu virus and target your intestines, not your airways.
Your nose, throat and lungs.
SOURCES
cdc.gov/flu
nfid.org/idinfo/influenza
cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm
cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htmm,
From inhalation or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Think
FACTS: fever, aches, chills, tiredness, sudden onset. Often,
headache, sore throat & hacking cough, and vomiting/
diarrhea in kids.
2 to 4 days
in bed. Can lead to bronchitis, sinus/ear infections, pneumonia, hospitalization and death.
Bed rest, liquids, OTC flu medicines. Prescription antiviral medicine can shorten illness if given early.
Yearly flu vaccine for everyone > 6 months old, especially those at greatest risk: the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill (especially with lung problems).
More than
200 types of rhinovirus.
Your nose
and throat.
From inhalation or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Runny nose, sneezing
and nasal congestion, often with sore throat, mild cough, mild aches/ fatigue, and fever in the young.
1 to 3
weeks of discomfort.
Over-the-counter cold medicines/
analgesics.
Wash hands frequently. Zinc lozenges & vitamin C may shorten illness.
2018 Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Q: What if your symptoms linger?
Q: When is the flu not the flu?