Difference Between Common Cold And Flu
When you feel feverish and also have a cough or a runny nose, you might be confused, as to whether it is a common cold or flu. Despite sharing many similar symptoms, both these ailments have different causal factors and recovery patterns. It is crucial to identify them for an effective recovery plan. Here is the difference between the common cold and flu to help manage these conditions properly. Causal Factors According to the American Lung Association, the common cold is a prevalent upper respiratory tract infection. Though more than 200 strains of viruses cause this infection, rhinovirus is the primary culprit for the occasional sneezing, congestion, and sore throat in most cases. You can catch a common cold at any time of the year, but the infection peaks in winter when the germs have increased virulence due to low humidity. Influenza A, B, and C viruses are the pathogen for flu. Among them, influenza A and B are widespread and cause thousands of infections every year in the country. Flu is usually a seasonal infection that occurs from fall to spring. Similar to the common cold, it peaks in winter. Symptoms There is a notable difference between common cold and flu regarding their symptoms.