A2A S p A : Is it cold or flu?

Posted: 1/27/2020

Parkland physicians provide tips on when to see a doctor

Sneezes, sniffles and coughs can only mean one thing: cold and flu season is in full swing. Parkland has reported more than 2,700 patients with influenza since Oct. 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported widespread flu in Texas.

But trying to figure out whether you've got a common cold or the flu, how you should treat your symptoms and when you should seek medical attention can be confusing.

Parkland physicians have some helpful tips on how to identify your ailment and what you can do to prevent or treat colds and flu.

'The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses,' said Donna Persaud, MD. 'In general, the flu is worse than the common cold and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are more common and intense.'

Meanwhile, Dr. Persaud said, colds are usually milder than the flu and symptoms of the common cold are mainly stuffy/runny nose and sore throat. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations. In most cases, staying home and resting is the best way to recover.

According to the CDC, the flu can hit certain populations especially hard. These include young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions. If you do experience severe symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

Anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu® generally are not given to prevent the flu, but rather are used for treating flu. They shorten the duration of illness by at least 48 hours and they also reduce the severity of the infection, according to Parkland doctors.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, proper hand-washing and covering the mouth while coughing as the best actions to prevent spreading the flu, cold and infections in general.

Here are some signs that you may need to seek medical care quickly:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent fever above 100 degrees
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

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