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The lastinfluenza season has been brutal so far, with 6.4 million people who descend with the disease, according to a report from December 2019 of theCenters for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC). But how do you know if you are dealing with the flu or justA Cold of Regular Ole? Because they are both virals and share many symptoms - sneezing, coughing and congestion, to name a few - the two diseases have often been mistaken for others. But there are few differences between a cold and influenza, according to the doctors who treat them regularly. It all starts with the surface of your quick symptoms and which parts of your body have affected.

"Influenza tends to be much more severe than a cold and is more invasive for many parts of the body, "saysDaniel McGee, MD, Pediatric HospitalHelen Devos Children's Hospital In Grand Rapids, Michigan. It notes that the speed of the disease is a diversifying factor that helps its diagnosis. "The mark indication of the influenza brand is the sudden beginning of the fever, the living room and fatigue," he says. If you encounter a gradual appearance of the symptoms, it is more likely that you treat with acommon cold.

Not only theSymptoms of the flu Come faster, but they also tend to take your whole body, while colds are mainly in your sinuses. "The essential difference is that a cold will have a main impact on the respiratory system, with sinus congestion and a flowing nose, sore throat and sneezing," saysDarryl Anderson, MD, Director of the Medical ProgramCollege of Plaza At Forest Hills, New York. "Withinfluenza, painful throughout the body occurs more often, as well as chills and fatigue or weakness. "

Although doctors can be able to diagnose you by asking questions about your symptoms, they can also perform tests to confirm what illness you have. "If necessary, there are nasal buffers or washes that can obtain a definitive diagnosis," says McGee.

Once your diagnosis is diagnosed, it's time for treatment - and how you take care of your cold in relation to the flu is also very different.For a coldYou will probably find yourself with a suggestion from your doctor to rest and drink plenty of water. "It's viral and just spend both with over-the-counter medications such as decongestants and pain analgesics," McGee said. Although the flu can have more severe symptoms, it is also a virus so that antibiotics would not help you. "You can receive a prescription for a commonly called antiviral medicineTamiflu, which can shorten the duration of your illness, "says McGee.

Because the flu can stick for a few weeks, there is also a risk of other complications, such as sinus infections or pneumonia, Note McGee. Unlike a cold or influenza, these can be treated with antibiotics.

While you can get acold or influenza At any time of the year,the winter months According to Anderson, the most concentrated flu season is the most concentrated influenza season because it's "when we spend more time inside and that we are exposed to more viruses. In addition, from Many viruses thrive in cold air. "

The best thing to do for yourself?Get the influenza shot, that the CDC recommends doing at the end of October each year. "Getting vaccinated later, however, can always be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later," Noteon their website.

And if you are worried about the influenza at the height of yourimmune systemThis is not usually the case, says McGee. "Contrary to what Naysayers believe, the vaccine will not give you the flu," he explains. "If you feel a bit soft after receiving it, it's because your immune system hits to fight it." And for more information on the manipulation of colds, here is hereThe 23 worst things you can do if you have a cold, according to doctors.