This time of year, many of us will become ill with a cold or flu. Both illnesses are caused by a virus and share some similar symptoms, but they are two distinct conditions. If you aren’t sure whether you have a cold or the flu, this guide from Pharmacy to My Door will help you.
Is It the Flu?
Flu symptoms usually come on very quickly and very intensely. Initial symptoms can include fever, chills, tiredness, and muscle aches and pains. It’s also not uncommon to have a stuffed nose, stomach upset, or cough. Any coughs will be dry.
Overall, you’ll feel very unwell and will probably have to spend several days in bed recuperating. If you want to prevent those days of misery, book an appointment for Pharmacy to My Door’s flu vaccination service in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Flu Symptoms
- A high temperature
- Body aches
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
Is it a Cold?
Colds share some similar symptoms with the flu with a few exceptions. Colds won’t cause muscle aches and pains and any fevers will be low-grade. Also unlike the flu, colds come on much more gradually and take longer to recover from.
If you have a cough, it’ll be a wet one because you’ll be producing mucus and phlegm. You might have a persistent cough for a few weeks after the cold. This is normal, but if it continues beyond this you should contact your GP in case you have a more serious infection. The same goes if you have congestion, chest pain, or a fever that lasts more than a week.
Common Cold Symptoms
- Runny & stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Wet coughs
- Mucus production/post-nasal drip
- Watery eyes
PTMD’s Flu Vaccination Service in Kineton and Bloxham
There are no cures for colds or flu so if you become ill your best bet is to take cold/flu medications that reduce the severity of your symptoms. No current vaccination exists for colds, but there is a highly effective flu vaccine that you can get each year.
With Pharmacy to My Door’s flu vaccination service in Shipston on Stour, you can protect yourself against getting the flu and from spreading it to others. Contact us directly or book your appointment online for our flu vaccination service in Chipping Campden.
