RR Phantom
Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
| Subject: Man flu? When 'the flu' is really just a cold Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:10 pm | |
| Most people who think they have the flu, don't. And some people who think they have a cold, really have the flu. So what is the difference between a cold and the flu? And does it matter?
A cold is a mild illness that resolves without treatment. It is a combination of some or all of the following: sneezing, a runny and then blocked nose, a sore or scratchy throat, cough, low-grade fever, headache and malaise. Doctors often refer to a cold as an upper respiratory tract infection or URTI (pronounced er-tee). They are very common – on average, you can expect three per year.
There are at least 200 different viral subtypes that cause colds – the commonest by far are rhinoviruses which are responsible for at least 40 per cent; others include coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus and parainfluenza viruses.
Following a cold, the small airways in the lungs become "hyper-reactive". This can trigger an asthma attack and may result in the so-called "post-viral cough" that lasts for weeks. (In this setting, whooping cough should also be considered).
A cold may be complicated by an ear infection and sinusitis – both of which are usually viral and do not require antibiotics.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/man-flu-when-the-flu-is-really-just-a-cold-20140421-zqxau.html#ixzz2zfRayGFD |
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