Cold vs. Flu

Yesterday I was literally bedridden. 

My head hurts when I start walking my way to the kitchen to get food.

It's a feeling that one just wishes to go away.

Now that the "BER Season" is here, one could easily catch these things. But I wonder, is it the common cold? or The Flu? 

Doing more research, I found out that, although the common cold and the flu share many similar symptoms, they are 2 different conditions.

Below is a representation on how to differentiate a cold vs. the flu.

*image from helpfultips.com

Apparently, there is no cure for the common cold. All you can do to feel better is treat your symptoms while your body fights off the virus.

For the flu, your doctor will probably recommend that you treat the symptoms until you feel better. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine. Antiviral medicines can shorten the length of time you are sick with the flu. These medicines come as pills, syrup or in an inhaler. 

Here are some suggestion on how to treat cold and flue symptoms:

• Get plenty of rest, especially while you have a fever. Rest helps your body fight infection.
• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Drink lots of fluids such as water and clear soups. Fluids help loosen mucus. Fluids are also important because they help prevent dehydration.
• Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.
• Use saline (salt water) nose drops to help loosen mucus and moisten the tender skin in your nose.

There is no over-the-counter medicine that would help cure a cold or the flu. Medicines can just help relieve some of the cold or flu symptoms.

As always, the best way to go is preventive maintenance. You can reduce your risk of catching a cold or the flu by washing your hands frequently, which stops the spread of germs. Eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep also play a part in preventing colds and the flu because they help boost your immune system.

If you are sick, make sure that you cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands often to prevent giving your cold or flu to others.

Looking at the list above, what I had most likely is the flu.
Oh well, I hope I get well the soonest!