Health Feature Articles
Is it a Cold, the Flu or Pneumonia?
Gail Carlson, MPH, Ph.D., Continuing Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia
Your head hurts, your eyes are watery, your muscles
ache, and your cough is getting worse. You feel like
climbing into bed, turning on the vaporizer and taking
something to relieve the symptoms. But is that going to
do the trick? The common cold, the flu, and pneumonia
can have similar symptoms. Mistaking one for the other
can mean serious complications.
The chart below provides a summary of three illnesses
frequently seen during the winter months: the common
cold, the flu, and bacterial pneumonia. The viruses and
bacteria that cause these illnesses are around all year.
People are more likely to be exposed in winter, because
they spend more time inside and in closer contact with
other people.
| Is it a Cold, the Flu or Pneumonia? | |||
| Cold | Flu | Bacterial Pneumonia | |
| Fever | Rare in adults | Usual Abrupt onset* |
Usual Abrupt onset** |
| Headache | Rare | Usual | Usual |
| Aches & Pains | Rare | Usual, often severe |
Usual |
| Fatigue/Weakness | Slight | Extreme | Slight to Moderate |
| Runny, Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Chest Pain Cough |
Mild to
moderate hacking cough |
Common, can be severe | Severe
cough & stabbing chest pain *** |
| * Fever tends to be high
102-104 o F and lasts 3 to 4 days. ** Fever tends to be high 101-105 o F. *** Difficult painful breathing and a cough with thick rust, green or yellow mucus are common signs. |
|||
The common cold is an infection of the upper
respiratory tract. It is caused by a virus. Actually
there are 200 viruses that can cause a cold. On average,
adults will have 2 to 4 colds a year and children will
have 4 to 8. A cold almost always starts with a scratchy
throat and stuffiness in the nose. Gradually other
symptoms appear--sneezing, a mild sore throat, sometimes
a minor headache and coughing. Runny noses are a common
feature of colds. On the other hand, fevers are not
common in adults. In small children fevers can occur but
typically last only a few days. Colds are usually spread
by hand-to-hand contact with another cold sufferer or by
sharing objects like utensils, towels, and telephones.
The flu is an infection in the nose, throat,
bronchial tubes and lungs caused by influenza viruses A
and B. Influenza is easily spread through the air by
sneezing and coughing. Fever, chills, headache, achy
muscles and fatigue all seem to come at once when you
have the flu. Children may experience vomiting and
diarrhea but this is not common in adults. Typically,
when adults have these types of symptoms, they have been
exposed to some other virus or bacteria.
Pneumonia is an infection of the bronchial tubes and tiny air sacs in the lungs. Pneumonia is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Bacterial pneumonia is serious and can be deadly. Usually people who have bacterial pneumonia are very sick. Symptoms begin suddenly with severe chills and a high fever. This infection typically follows a cold or flu. The person starts feeling better and then the symptoms suddenly worsen. Health care providers usually prescribe antibiotics to treat pneumonia. Individuals at risk of developing pneumonia are children under the age of four, older adults, and persons with conditions that compromise their immune system, for example, diabetes, asthma, cancer or AIDS.
Try Home Treatment for the Cold and Flu
Unless you have other health problems, wait a while
before going to your health care provider if you suspect
you have a cold. Antibiotics won’t help and neither will
the new anti-viral medications. Try home treatment
first. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of liquids. Use a
humidifier to add moisture to the home. If you choose,
take an over-the-counter medication to relieve the
symptoms.
If the flu strikes, home treatment is also a good
approach for healthy adults. A few years ago this was
the only option. Today, there are antiviral medications
available but they must be taken within two days of the
on-set of flu symptoms to be effective. Antiviral
medications don’t “cure” the flu but make the symptoms
less severe. They are used most often in institutional
settings like nursing homes and hospitals. Your health
care provider can help you decide whether you should
take antiviral medications. Like all medications, they
do have side effects.
Prevention is the best policy
Prevention is still the best policy. We have all
heard about this year’s shortage of flu shots. There is
an option for some people. The nasal spray flu vaccine
uses weakened living influenza cells and is recommended
for use by healthy people between the ages 5 and 50.
Your health provider can help you determine if this is a
good option for you.
If you can’t get a flu shot, getting a pneumonia shot
can protect you against this potential serious
complication of the flu. It's a one-time shot for anyone
65 years of age or older. Younger people with heart and
lung diseases, diabetes or weak immune systems should
also get this shot. Check with your child’s health care
provider, if you are not sure your child has been
immunized.
While there are no guarantees, there are other things
you can do to reduce your chances of becoming ill:
- Eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise, and learn how to manage your stress. If you are generally in good health, your immune system is better able to fight off illnesses.
- Wash your hands often, particularly when you are around people who have colds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Keeping your distance from others will protect them from getting sick too.
- Sanitize utensils, toys, equipment and furniture. This can help reduce the spread of colds in your home and thus reduce your risk of developing more serious complications like pneumonia.
If, in spite of all your efforts you become ill, take
care for yourself. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of
fluids, and pay attention to your symptoms. If home
treatment does not work or if symptoms worsen after they
seemed to be getting better, contact your health care
provider.
This article provides general information for educational purposes. Follow the advice of your health care provider; his or her advice is individualized to your situation.
References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2004) Key
Facts About the Flu: How to Prevent the Flu and What to
Do If You Get Sick (Fact Sheet) U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/keyfacts.pdf
Mettler M, Kemper DW (2003) Healthwise for Life.
Bosie Idaho: Healthwise Incorporated
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(2001) The Common Cold. National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/cold.htm
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (2001) Pneumococcal Pneumonia. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/pneumonia.htm
The American Academy of Family Physicians (2004) The
Flu and Colds: Tips on Feeling Better.
http://familydoctor.org/x4957.xml?printxml
Vickery DM, Fries, JF (1996) Take Care of Yourself. Reading Massachusetts: Perseus Books
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Last Updated 04/20/2008
