The common cold is also known as acute viral nasopharyngitis. It is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tracts, particularly the nose, throat, and other parts that are located in the same area of the body. There are actually different kinds of viruses that can make up the common cold, meaning there are different kinds of common cold infections, which is why the common cold occasionally recurs. Although it is not really considered as a serious disease, intensification of the common cold may lead to a severe illness called pneumonia.

The common cold is often confused with influenza, which is a more serious type of viral infection that affects not just the respiratory tract but extends to other parts of the body as well. The common cold may lead to a lower immune system, allowing other viruses to enter the body, if not treated properly. The common cold is considered the most common illness that occurs yearly in adults and children. Children are more inclined to having common cold because their conditions at school and other public places exposes them more the viral infection, and their immune systems are not as high as those of adults.


The flu disease is also known as influenza. It is often confused with the common cold, but is actually very different because it is quite a serious and more intense viral infection that may lead to other complications. Influenza comes from a virus known as RNA, which infects both mammals and humans. There are three types of flu: influenza one to three. Influenza two is identified as the type that affects humans. The flu actually became an epidemic in the past, when medication and viral injections were not yet available. Many people, young and old, died from influenza.

From past records, it appears that the flu occurs more often during winter or cold season because people tend to stay more indoors and have contact with one another, which can lead to a more expedient way of transferring the virus through proximity. If a persona is already ill caused by another disease, getting influenza can prove to be very fatal as it significantly lowers the body’s immune system.

What are the symptoms of the common cold and flu?

There are signs that indicate one is about to have a common cold. The first of which is the slight inflammation or irritation of the throat. Phlegm begins to build up in the throat and nose areas. Another symptom is consequent sneezing and running nose, along with other upper respiratory irritation. Later, a person may experience coughing, nose congestion, and in some cases, a slight fever. Those who are about to get the common cold also experience headaches and their eyes may begin to water.

The flu is caused by a virus known as RNA, which is said to have originated from animals and evolved into a virus that may be transferred to humans. The spread of the virus, like any other virus such as that of the common cold, is often through the air. The flu may also be transferred through a person’s contact with bodily fluids like saliva that is infected with the flu virus. Flu may also be transmitted through blood transfers.

Initially, the symptoms of flu are just like that of the common cold. The nasal passage becomes irritated, along with a slight fever, headache, and coughs. However, it later intensifies to high fever, aching of joints especially the back and the legs, causing the infected person to become very weak. In the first two days, the person is also feel slight chills through the body, which indicates the transfer of the RNA virus. Most of the time, a person who is infected with flu gets a fever of about 38 to 40 C temperature.

How are the common cold and flu treated?

Often, the body’s natural immune system is the treatment used to cure the common cold. There is still no real treatment to the common cold other than means that may relieve the respiratory irritation felt by those who experience the viral infection. In most cases, people do not do much about the common cold and are able to go about their daily business, dismissing the common cold as but a slight and temporary illness.

Some claim that inhaling hot steam cures the common cold, but scientific studies show that steam simply helps relieve the nose tract of phlegm, which can greatly ease the uncomfortable disposition of people with the common cold. Others attest to the effectiveness of gargling with a little bit of salt in tepid water. The most common claim regarding the common cold’s treatment is that chicken soup is a potent medicine against the common cold. Studies show, however, the chicken soup simply relieves the person but does not really get rid of the virus. There is also no permanent cure for the common cold as different viruses comprise the common cold, so even if the body naturally develops immunity from a particular common cold that a person already suffered in the past, a new common cold virus can still affect the same individual. However, as already mentioned, the body can actually combat the common cold and the average natural healing period is three days.

Usually, the period of treatment that a person with flu needs, on average is one to two weeks. The infected person is advised to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluid. He or she should also try taking generic paracetamol drugs and aspirin if it will help with the headaches. He or she must also not take alcohol or smoking as it can further lower the person’s immune system and the body’s capacity to naturally heal.

How can the common cold and flu be prevented?

The common cold may be prevented by strengthening the immune system. One way to do so is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising regularly. A person may also take vitamins to supplement the body’s natural immune system. Vitamin C is one supplement that may help a person, as well as medicine that has zinc. Also, before eating, it is suggested that a person wash hands thoroughly in order to shake of the viruses that the hands may have picked up. Also, the common cold is most often spread through sneezing and by being in proximity to people who are infected, so it is also suggested that a person try to stay away from crowds or keeping distance from those who are infected with the common cold.

Like with any other viral infection that enters persons with low immune systems, the best way to prevent flu is to change one’s lifestyle into a healthy one so that the body’s system of healing and blocking off of viruses become stronger. For influenza, doctors also suggest that people avail of flu vaccinations in order to prevent the viral infection from spreading. Also, a person who is healthy is less at risk, which may be maintained by eating healthy food and exercising regularly. A person who is often tired should also try to get enough rest in order to strengthen the body’s defense mechanism. The flu does not choose any particular age bracket as target; it could come down on young and old alike, so it is important that everyone is informed about how to take the necessary precautions against the flu virus. Although the aforementioned precautions do not guarantee exemption from the flu virus, as it is quite an aggressive infection, the suggestions can very well decrease the risk of being infected or at least speed up the period of recovery.