Avoiding the flu is even more important for everyone this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is possible to become sick with both flu and COVID-19 at the same time. You may have heard the term twindemic.  The new, non-medical term being used by the media when describing the annual Influenza season during the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes a particularly severe flu season that occurs alongside a spike in COVID-19 cases. According to media, the nation’s best shot at preventing a twindemic is getting a flu shot or a COVID-19 vaccine.

I wanted to share with you a more natural approach and an alternative to vaccines for those who want one.  Below is a link that contains information on how you and your family can stay healthy this 2020-2021 season.

Find my solution here: Healthy 2020-2021 Season

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2019-2020 flu season affected between 39,000,000 and 56,000,000 Americans. (17) With illness being so prevalent, understanding the differences between the common cold and the flu is necessary for determining the best remedies and treatments for a speedy recovery.

What is the common cold?

The common cold is an illness caused by one of over 200 different types of cold viruses, typically affecting the nose and occasionally the sinuses, ears, and airways.

The incubation period, the time from infection to symptom presentation, typically occurs within 24 to 72 hours, as the body recognizes and begins to fight the infection. (16) Symptoms of the common cold often include a sore throat, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. (13) These symptoms typically peak within a few days after infection and last for about a week; however, some individuals may experience symptoms for up to three weeks. (13)(15) Common cold symptoms occur when your immune system, the body’s main defense system, sends out white blood cells that release inflammatory mediators. The mediators prompt an increase in mucus secretion and induce sneezing reflexes as a method to remove the virus. (11)

What is the flu?

The flu is the common name for a respiratory infection caused by an influenza virus that infects to your nose, throat, and lungs. The average incubation period ranges between one and four days, with flu symptoms manifesting after two days on average. (5) The onset of flu symptoms occurs quickly and typically begins with a high fever, body aches, and significant fatigue or weakness.

The virus that causes the flu is transmitted from one person to another through moisture, typically droplets that are spread when someone who is ill sneezes or coughs. The droplets can transfer via direct contact, but can also be contracted by touching an object, such as a telephone or doorknob, that has been in contact with a sick person. (14) What makes prevention difficult is that, due to the incubation period, people are often contagious before they show symptoms of illness. Therefore, hygiene practices, such as hand-washing and avoiding touching your face, are very important to reduce the transfer of germs during cold and flu season, or when you think you might be ill. (5)

Flu vs. cold: the common symptoms

The common cold and the flu share several signs and symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between the two illnesses. Below is a list of the common symptoms you will see with each illness. Determining whether you are sick with the common cold or flu can help you and your healthcare practitioner determine the best course of action for treatment.

Chart comparing the symptoms of the common cold vs the flu

Cold and flu prevention

The CDC recommends the following preventative measures to reduce your risk of contracting the cold or flu, and to prevent the spread if you’re already sick:

  • Avoid close contact with others if you or people around you are ill
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
  • Disinfect shared surfaces (e.g., desks, phones, door knobs, light switches)
  • Stay home if you’re sick
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (9)

Furthemore, taking care of your body year-round can help prevent seasonal illnesses. Lifestyle habits that can reduce your risk of getting sick include:

  • Eating a healthy diet and limiting consumption of processed foods
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Managing your stress levels (9)

Stay safe and healthy!

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