Cold and Flu

Most of us, are willing to treat flu rather than cold and this might due to the confusion between Cold and Flu. I came across this article, which i think quite useful to differentiate them.

Symptoms:
Cold normally starts slowly, normal body temperature, appetite unaffected, not usually bedridden, localised on nose, chest and throat, slight headache, and mild tiredness.
Flu has a totally different symptoms, it has rapid onset, accompanied with high body temperature within first day ( Fever), poor appetite, usually bedridden, might affect whole body (ache and pain), severe headache and weakness.

If you have a tight budget and wish to seek for medication from Pharmacist, here is the guideline. Do not ever cure yourself by using self-medication and get medication before symptoms worsen.
1. Tell them your mucus colour if there is any.
2.The symptoms occurs.
3. Any pain on breathing or shortness of breath.
4. Any persistent Cough.

For your information, Cold is NORMAL. You might get 2-5 colds a year. Its normally caused viral infection. The mode of infection is by inhaling a virus airborne droplets when someone cough or sneeze. You can be infected by touching something which is contaminated with virus such as rubbish bin and then touching your mouth, nose or eye.
Flu is the SERIOUS one, commonly known as influenza. Although it is also caused by virus, it is different from cold virus and it is more health devastating.

This information is adapted from Mc Neil. Product Ltd. Training