What is the difference between a cold and flu?

Maybe you have been putting in long hours at work and not getting enough sleep. Or perhaps you were stuck on line at the grocery store behind someone who sneezed and coughed continuously.

Or maybe you don’t know why you are feeling so miserable, but you definitely are. Your head hurts, your nose is running and you are achy and uncomfortable.

While you know you are definitely ill, you may be wondering “Do I have the flu or a bad cold?” In order to tell the difference between a cold and flu, check out the following:

Common flu symptoms:

As the Centers for Disease Control notes (1), flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses—they are just caused by different viruses. In general, the symptoms of flu usually include a fever or feeling feverish/chills, a cough, a sore throat, a stuffy or runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Common cold symptoms:

Overall, common cold symptoms tend to be milder than flu symptoms. While you might have a mild cough with a cold, if you have the flu it is more likely to be more severe. People who are dealing with a cold are more likely to have a stuffy or runny nose, and colds typically resolve themselves fairly quickly on their own and they do not morph into serious health issues.

Cold vs. flu: cold and flu symptom checker

Can a cold turn into the flu?

Speaking of which, the notion that a cold can suddenly transform into the flu is a myth(2). Since the flu and the common cold are caused by different viruses, a cold cannot turn into the flu.

Cold and flu treatment you can do at home

Regardless of whether you have a cold or flu, you can take steps to find relief from your unpleasant symptoms(3).  

• Getting better uses up a lot of energy, so rest as much as you can. Call in sick to work or school and make it a priority to sleep more and hang out on the couch.
• Drink plenty of water and warm tea.  In fact, Ginger tea is great to break a fever, while mint tea is perfect to help soothe a sore throat. Avoid soda and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you.
• Stay covered—you don’t want to let a cold draft give you the chills. Stay wrapped up.
• Use steam- using steam with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil will help open your nasal pathways.  
• Honey- for anyone older than 2 years of age, honey is a great antioxidant and soothes a sore throat and constipation.

Best herbs for cold and flu

While the aforementioned tips can help treat the unpleasant symptoms of cold and flu, it is also important to take steps to combat the actual virus which has made you sick. Our Vi-Rid product (4) contains a variety of herbs which are all well-researched and have been shown to combat viral and bacterial infections. As our customers have told us again and again, Vi-Rid is definitely the best medicine for flu and sore throat.

Vi-Rid is formulated to help soothe your sore throat, as well as reduce fever. It was also designed to help boost the immune system to help prevent colds and flu from settling in. Prevention is the best medicine. 

Another great way to boost your immunity is with our Super Juice Blend (5), which is a yummy apple-cinnamon blend and mixes in easily with water, juice or a smoothie. Two of the main ingredients in Super Juice Blend, chlorella and spirulina, can help detoxify the body and help to keep you healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm

https://www.parents.com/health/cold-flu/cold/12-cold-flu-myths/?slideId=slide_78c1bbd0-7146-4bb5-9cf1-685708d15542#slide_78c1bbd0-7146-4bb5-9cf1-685708d15542

https://symptoms.webmd.com/cold-flu-map/cold-and-flu-treatment-checklist

https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/difference-between-cold-and-flu/

https://healingblendsglobal.com/product/vi-rid/

https://healingblendsglobal.com/2018/08/boost-your-immune-system-with-spirulina-and-chlorella/