What Is The Difference Between A Cold And Flu
Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense. Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.
Similarities Between Allergies Colds And Flu
Before we discuss the differences, its a good idea to look at the many things they have in common. That typically begins and ends with the symptoms. These symptoms include a wide range of misery, such as:
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Sniffles
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Sneezing
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Sore Throats
The reason you experience all these symptoms with all three maladies is that each one affects the respiratory system. However, if you treat the symptoms with the wrong type of medication, the National Institutes of Health warns, you might get little, if any relief.
In worst case scenarios, you could make the symptoms worse. This is why its so important to know which condition youre suffering from so you can take the right treatment for your condition and get relief. Its also essential to know whether your symptoms affect you and you alone or if you are contagious and could potentially spread your condition to others.
Side Effects Of Drugs
Prolonged use of medications such as ibuprofen, Effexor, Voltaren, and ondansetron may cause side effects like chills without fever. Sometimes, an intense cold may be caused by Narcotic painkillers or drugs such as beta interferons.
Make sure to read the medication packaging to learn potential side effects information. If you suspect that the drug is the cause of your shivering, you should consult your doctor immediately.
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How To Deal With Your Anxiety Symptoms
Right now, with stay-at-home orders and extreme economic uncertainty part of thenew normal, anxiety levels are very high, even for those who havent experienced much anxiety in the past, Dr. Merrill says.
Mindfulness-based practices can help, especially if they involve some type of physical movement that benefits both body and mind. He suggests yoga or tai chi, for example, because they incorporate breath-work in their practices.
In terms of treatment, Dr. Laino suggests talking with your healthcare provider about both your symptoms and anxiety as a possible cause to ensure youre getting an accurate diagnosis from a trained professional. Even if youre under a stay-at-home order, there are many telehealth options right now, he adds, which means you can have an appointment and even get a prescription without going into an office.
Most of all, take it seriously.Just because a symptom is linked to anxiety doesnt mean it should be ignored, he saysThere are various medications and talk therapies that can help people who suffer with acute, chronic, or post-traumatic anxieties.
Best of all, as your anxiety knots get loosened, its likely many of your physical issues will start to ease as well.
You Have A Viral Or Bacterial Infection
When chills are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, body aches or fatigue, theyre more likely associated with a systemic infection, such as flu or pneumonia.
Chills boost your bodys core temperature when your immune system attempts to fight off infection, Taroyan explains. Your body temperature increases, even though you might feel cold. If you have a viral infection, you will usually notice other symptoms along with chills, such as sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Most of the time, it can be self-limiting and will resolve within 2 weeks. Its important to get plenty of rest and increase your fluid intake.
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Is It Allergies A Cold Or Something Else
Is It Allergies, a Cold or Something Else?
North Texans know that allergy season can last all year. There always seems to be something in the air that can cause a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. But what if the symptoms mean something else? Thats the thing with allergies the symptoms are just hazy enough that they cross paths with other illnesses. To know the difference, it helps to know the culprit.
Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system that sends your body into defense mode when something thats usually harmless, such as dust or pollen, is mistaken for germs. Your body releases histamines to go after the allergens, just as it does when fighting a cold. This can cause swelling in your nasal passages, a runny nose, cough, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
Colds, on the other hand, are caused by hundreds of different viruses. When one of these viruses gets into your body, thanks to contact with an infected person or contaminated surface, your immune system fights back. The response can come in the way of nasal congestion, a runny nose, coughing and/or sneezing.
How to Tell What You Have
Despite similarities , allergies and colds do have some differences. The most important one is that colds usually dont last longer than 14 days. Plus, they may bring with them body aches, a fever and a sore throat. If you still have symptoms after two weeks, you should check in with your doctor.
Could It Be Something More?
Your Allergies Can Cause A Sore Body
Some people suffer from hay fever or allergy-induced sinusitis in summer due to the higher pollen count or humidity. Symptoms like itchy eyes, coughing, runny nose and constant congestion are enough to wear anyone down.
Not only in your head and nose
For some, a mild sense of discomfort may be as bad as it gets. But, according to the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania , some people who suffer from seasonal allergies may also experience severe joint, muscle, back and neck ache.
You may even experience a low-grade fever, which makes it easy to confuse your allergy symptoms with a cold or even flu.
The link between chronic fatigue, aches, pains and allergies was established decades ago. In a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, patients who complained of fatigue, low-grade fever, aches and pains also often reported either seasonal or food allergies.
How are pain and allergies related?
While seasonal allergies often affect the nasal region, and the symptoms are mostly above the neck, pollen can affect the entire body as your immune system goes into overdrive.
Allergies and joint pain
When you experience allergies, your body has higher inflammation levels than usual as your immune system reacts to pollen and your body attempts to flush out the allergens, according to the OIP. This can cause joint ache.
Allergies and body aches
Allergies and tiredness
Establishing the cause
Tips on managing your symptoms
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Allergies Rarely Cause Sore Throats Or Body Aches
The only ache you may feel with allergies is a headache from all that congestion. Your throat may also feel dry or scratching. But if youre experiencing a sore throat or mild body aches, theyre more likely a sign of a bad cold.
Can allergies cause chills? No. If you have chills, its more likely you have a cold, the flu or another infection .
Signs Of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds as if they were harmful to the body. This reaction causes symptoms that can be similar to a cold. Seasonal allergies occur at the same time each year. If your child has allergy symptoms all year long, he or she may be allergic to things in the home, such as dust mites, animals, mold and cockroaches.
Allergies can cause itchy, watery eyes, which aren’t typical signs of a cold or flu.
Other common symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, throat, eyes, and ears
- Nosebleeds
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Youre Having A Panic Attack
Chills can occur if you have a profound or intense emotional reaction to a situation, according to Taroyan. Emotions that might cause chills include fear or anxiety, she says.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. A panic attack can cause a combination of physical as well as psychological symptoms, including chills, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness and chest pain. Because of the severity of the symptoms, a panic attack sometimes causes people to think theyre having a heart attack.
If youve never had a panic attack before, seek medical attention. If youve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, psychotherapy and medication can help.
How To Manage Allergies
Seasonal allergies can be managed in the following ways:
- Learn what the allergens are and reduce or eliminate exposure to them.
- If allergens are from outside sources, keep the windows closed and stay indoors when pollen/mold/weed counts are high.
- Wash hands or shower and change clothing after spending time outside.
- If necessary, treat allergy symptoms with medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal spray steroids.
- Allergy shots can help desensitize people to specific allergens.
- Wear a pollen mask or dust mask .
- Clean the inside of the nose with saline .
- Use a vaporizer or humidifier.
- Put petroleum jelly on the nose if it becomes irritated.
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What You Should Do
Dont be a hero and try to tough out an illness. Call your doctor to report any concerning symptoms, especially those of COVID-19 or flu you may need a test and treatment.
Its a different era from when you didnt want to bother your doctor, Dr. Jha says. Dont deny yourself care. Your doctor would never want that. And the earlier you call, the sooner you can be treated if you need it.
The Common Cold Symptoms
The common cold is the most common upper respiratory tract infection. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds. Symptoms usually develop 1 3 days after being exposed to the virus.
- It nearly always starts rapidly with throat irritation and stuffiness in the nose.
- Within hours, full-blown cold symptoms usually develop, which can include sneezing, mild sore throat, fever, minor headaches, muscle aches, and coughing.
- Fever is low-grade or absent. In small children, however, fever may be as high as 103 °F for 1 or 2 days. The fever should go down after that time, and be back to normal by the 5th day.
- Nasal discharge is usually clear and runny the first 1 3 days. It then thickens and becomes yellow to greenish.
- The sore throat is usually mild and lasts only about a day. A runny nose usually lasts 2 7 days, although coughing and nasal discharge can persist for more than 2 weeks.
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Body Aches Or Pains Chills Muscle Weakness And Shaking Chills
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/9/2020
These are nonspecific symptoms that can be present with a wide variety of infections including influenza, tuberculosis, or endocarditis. Metabolic conditions can also sometimes produce musculoskeletal symptoms like these. Poisons or toxins are an additional possible cause. If you are experiencing symptoms that trouble you, contact your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Joint Pain: Youre Not Alone
In a recent national survey, nearly one out of every three adults in the US reported having joint pain within the last 30 days. In this survey, deep pain was the most common complaint, followed by shoulder and hip pain
Joints connect your bones together, providing your body with support as you move. Joint pain can impact just about any part of your body, including the ankles, feet and hands. While joint pain can occur at any age, it becomes increasingly common as a person ages.
Damage to your joints caused by injury or disease cannot only interfere with movement, but can also be a common cause of pain. Some of the most common conditions leading to painful joints include rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, gout, strains, sprains and other injuries, such as in sports.
As with back pain, joint pain can vary greatly in terms of severity in the amount of time that it lasts. For example, joint pain that resolves within a few weeks is referred to as acute. However, many people suffer from chronic joint pain, or pain that lingers for weeks or months at a time.
Other common causes of joint pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Autoimmune diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Seasonal allergies
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Are Chills Serious Shivering And Goose Bumps Can Accompany A Wide Range Of Conditions From A Too
Maintaining our core temperature is one of the bodys most basic functions, and when that temperature is off or when our body thinks its off we get the chills.
Chills occur when the muscles contract and relax in order to make heat, says Rose Taroyan, MD, MPH, a family medicine physician at Keck Medicine of USC and clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. This occurs when you are cold, but it can also be your bodys defense mechanism in fighting an infection.
Everyone knows the sensation of getting the chills when your environment is too cold. Thats usually a signal to put on more layers or turn up the heat. But there are many underlying medical conditions that can cause them, too. Read on for some common and not so common causes of chills.
Allergies Do Not Cause Fevers
People often wonder if allergies can cause a fever. The answer is no. Allergies cannot cause a fever, though you could have an allergy flare at the same time youre experiencing a fever from another infection.
With a cold, your temperature can run warmer, but typically it will be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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The Difference Between Allergies & Colds:
When you have a bacterial or viral infection, your body will trigger an immune response. Chemicals called pyrogens, which are produced by white blood cells, cause the temperature in the body to rise. This is a normal inflammatory response that helps to kill off heat-sensitive bacteria.
Allergens, on the other hand, set off no such reaction. During an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines, which make you sneeze and cough. Histamines are only released during allergic reactions, which is why you shouldnt take anti-histamine medication for the common cold or flu.
How Can You Treat Back Pain
If youre suffering from back pain, there are several potential treatments to consider.
Medications, like topical analgesic creams and ointments, may offer pain relief. Analgesic medications are over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or acetaminophen. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can reduce pain and swelling. These drugs often referred to as NSAIDs, include common over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. It is possible to get a stronger NSAID from a doctor.
If you have chronic back pain, additional medications may include muscle relaxants and even antidepressants. However, these options may not work for everyone.
Medications are just one treatment option. You may prefer to use hot or cold packs, or both, to ease a sore and stiff back. These packs offer a number of benefits. Heat helps reduce pain and muscle spasms, while cold reduces swelling and numbs more intense pain.
Exercise is another treatment option, especially if the cause of the problem is weight-related. However, it is important to note that while exercise can ease chronic pain, it is not ideal for acute back pain. Individuals suffering from either types of pain should seek advice and clarification from a doctor or physical therapist.
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When Should I Seek Medical Advice To Determine If I May Have Covid
- Your allergies are not improving after taking over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops and/or allergy prescriptions after three to four days and your symptoms appear to be getting worse
- You have developed additional symptoms such as a significant headache, fever, cough, decreased sense of taste or smell or gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- You are experiencing allergy and /or COVID-19-like symptoms and you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19
Seasonal Allergies Or Covid
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BOSTON
Seasonal allergies sniffles, congestion, dry cough, sore throat in a time of COVID-19 can make people a little uneasy.”There is a lot of anxiety out there, which is understandable,” said Dr. Lakiea Wright, a physician at Brigham and Women’s division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Wright said she’s seeing a lot of confusion in the air these days when it comes to people self-diagnosing.”Runny nose, stuffy nose, watery itchy eyes. But when you come to COVID, symptoms you have are shortness of breath, fever, cough,” she said.Wright said its critical for people to be aware of the distinguishing differences between COVID-19 and the seasonal sniffles.”Allergies alone would not cause fever. They should not cause shortness of breath — unless you have something like asthma. And you shouldn’t get body aches or chills,” she said. Wright said there are a few things people should be conscious about over the next month or so, including if your symptoms increase when youre outside or the window is open, it’s probably the pollen.
Wright said there are several things you can do to help beat back those allergies: Wear a mask and wear sunglasses. Both help keep the pollen away by protecting your nose, mouth and eyes.
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