Do I have the common cold or the flu?

     As the fall season gradually but steadily makes its way for the impending winter season, the average temperature continues to dip lower and the sun sets earlier, sometimes making the sky eerily somber and dark as early as 6pm.  If you take a look at the people around you, you may notice that more people than usual are coughing and/or experiencing runny nose.  I am one of the unlucky people who are having those pesky symptoms, including sore throat and sudden deepening of my already deep voice.  Making my situation worse is my job working in fragrance because the perfumes make my sore throat hurt even more.  I experienced these symptoms about a week ago, and they do not seem to subside no matter what medicine I take...........


     So do I have the common cold or the flu?


     A lot of us get confused about the differences between the two (and if you are, do not feel bad).  The common cold and the flu are both respiratory (pertaining to our breathing pathway) illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.  So neither is a bacterial infection!!!  They both have similar symptoms, such as coughs, runny nose, fever, body aches, sore throat, and tiredness.  Now, the difference between the two is that the symptoms for the flu are usually more severe.  For instance, your coughs could be drier and more intense with the flu.  In addition, since the cold is not as severe, it usually does not result in more serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

     These are some of the general differences between the common cold and the flu.  To find out definitively what you have though,  you need to see your doctor and get tested.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57563394/cold-or-flu-how-to-tell-the-difference/
 -This is a very informative article and the accompanying video succinctly clarifies the difference between the common cold and the flu.

Picture Source:  http://aidicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ColdFlu.jpg