Difference between cold and flu symptoms as expert shares tips on how to avoid getting sick
Ireland is facing a surge in flu cases, with over 1,000 hospitalisations reported earlier this week. It comes as experts have highlighted key differences between colds, the flu and Covid - and how best to avoid getting sick.
Ireland is grappling with a surge in flu cases following the Christmas period, with over 1,000 patients being treated in hospitals as of Tuesday morning. The HSE has warned that flu cases have been "increasing rapidly", doubling within a week.
In a statement, the health service revealed that 1,017 people were hospitalised with flu on December 31, nearly double the number treated a week earlier, on Christmas Eve. This surge has put added pressure on GPs, ambulances, emergency departments and inpatient services, which are all feeling the effects of a spike in respiratory illnesses, particularly the flu.
CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, has urged anyone showing symptoms to take precautions, saying: "We would ask if you are in any way Flu symptomatic please protect yourself and others by restricting your contacts and please do not visit people in hospital or care settings."
With flu cases on the rise across Ireland, some people may be wondering if their symptoms indicate a common cold or something more severe. According to GP Dr Xand van Tulleken, there's an easy way to tell.
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He recently told BBC Morning Live: "The cold will come on a little bit more slowly and typically a cold is upper respiratory tract. Perhaps you may have a very sore throat with a lot of snot and nasal congestion. But flu will drop you like a sack of bricks. Flu is a different experience. A cold you can keep functioning, it’s miserable, it's no fun, but flu can be life-threatening.
"It can hospitalise you and cause major problems. It tends to come quickly and flu is what you call a whole systemic illness so it’s muscle pains, severe muscle soreness, weakness, exhaustion, being short of breath. Sometimes confusion and it can make many other health conditions worse. So the big distinction basically is flu, the really bad one".
Dr Jamie Winn from Universal Drugstore echoed this, explaining that colds and flu come from different viruses. He said: "The common cold and the flu belong to two different viruses, common colds are rhinoviruses whereas flu is from influenza strains. Typically the flu tends to be more severe, with more sudden symptoms, and can lead to more complications. Each virus usually presents with slightly different symptoms with typical flu symptoms including a high fever, body aches, and chills. Alternatively, the common cold usually causes a productive cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion."
Preventative measures can help you stay healthy during flu season. Dr Pixie McKenna advises getting the flu vaccine, especially if you work in healthcare or care for vulnerable individuals. She also stresses the importance of hand hygiene, telling RSVP Live: "Hygiene is so important. Not enough people know how to wash their hands properly. You should be washing your hands for about 20 seconds - sing Happy Birthday to make sure you've spent enough time washing them. Clean your nails and remember to dry your hands as well."
The HSE says cold, flu and Covid symptoms are similar. They said flu symptoms tend to be more severe than symptoms of a cold and shared how to differentiate between these common illnesses:
Cold
When you have a cold, it usually:
- comes on slowly
- affects your nose and throat
- makes you feel unwell but you're OK to carry on as normal.
Flu
When you have flu, it usually:
- comes on quickly - within a few hours
- affects more than just your nose and throat
- makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal.
Covid
It could be Covid if you have:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
How to avoid catching the cold or flu
The HSE shared the following tips for avoiding the cold or flu:
- wash your hands with warm water and soap, especially before eating
- do not share towels or household items, such as cups, with someone who has a cold
- do not touch your eyes or nose - you can infect yourself if you've come in contact with the virus
- try to stay healthy - exercise regularly and eat well.
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