Even though colds and flu bugs attack every winter, many of us still can't tell the difference between a cold and the flu. A cold is a viral infection that mostly affects the upper respiratory tract. Considered the most common form of illness or disease in the world, there is no known cure for one yet. Caused by hand-to-hand contact, sneezing, and coughing, anyone experiencing stress or overwork is more likely to be infected with cold germs than others.
Colds affect everyone, from infants to the elderly. In most cases, the nose, throat, sinuses and bronchial tubes of the lungs are affected, and may cause everything from frustration to misery. However, learning recognize symptoms of a common cold early may help stop it in its tracks, or at least shorten its course and reduce the degree of your misery.
Instructions
1. Pay attention to the first twinges of stuffiness that you feel in your sinuses. This is often one of the first symptoms of a cold. Taking hot showers, steam baths and doses of acetaminophen or cold remedies at this time often reduces the severity of the cold. In most cases, catching a cold may produce a slight headache and a very low-grade fever. Flu symptoms seem to appear rather suddenly, but cold symptoms come on more slowly.
2. Take note of any coughing and sneezing, which often accompany a cold. These may start slowly, and then accumulate in nature until your throat is sore and your nose is stuffy. Sometimes, colds cause you to lose your voice. The throat is generally sore, but not particularly painful, like it is when you catch a flu bug.
3. Look at your eyes. Often, colds cause watery eyes, whereas flu bugs do not. In some cases, the eyes may also appear bloodshot or red. They often feel like someone is pressing something against them.
4. Pay attention to any discharge that comes from your nose or throat. This is common with a cold, and is typically a yellow color. If discharge from the throat or nose is any other color, such as green, you may have an infection that should be assessed by a physician.
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