What You Need to Know About Colds and the Flu?

The common cold and the flu are both illnesses that affect the respiratory system of a person. Though they are caused by different viruses, they are quite similar, with the only difference lying in the severity of the illness.

The common cold can be caused by numerous viruses – more than 200, in fact. The most common virus encountered that can cause a cold is the Rhinovirus. This is the reason behind more than 30% of all colds which adults suffer from. Most cold viruses are not known to cause any serious illness, with the effects of a cold lasting for a fortnight at best.

The flu is caused by viruses like Parainfluenza. They are generally harsher than the common cold, with effects including coughing, body aches, fatigue and fever. Aside from such symptoms, puffy glands and considerable amount of sinus pain are also indicators of the fact that a person is suffering from the flu. The flu also affects children more severely than adults, as a child’s body has less powerful defenses against such viruses. A person suffering from the flu should see a doctor immediately.