What is Influenza?
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It is particularly severe during the first three days and typically resolves within a week to ten days. However, it can pose serious risks for pregnant women, children, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic illnesses, so consulting a doctor is essential.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Symptoms of influenza include fatigue, high fever, cold sweats and chills, severe muscle and joint pain, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a dry cough.
What is the Common Cold?
The common cold is a respiratory illness that is milder than influenza. It is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems, smokers, and those with throat conditions such as enlarged adenoids or tonsillitis.
What are the symptoms of the common cold?
Symptoms of the common cold include sneezing, mild fatigue, sore throat, and a runny nose. Unlike influenza, it does not cause high fever or significant fatigue.
Influenza and Common Cold Treatment
Treatment for influenza does not eliminate the illness but helps alleviate its symptoms. For this purpose, antipyretics, pain relievers, and medications to reduce nasal congestion are used. Since influenza is viral and not bacterial, antibiotics are not prescribed.
Similarly, treatment for the common cold focuses on symptom relief. Pain relievers, antipyretics, and medications to reduce nasal discharge are commonly used.
To recover from both illnesses, it is beneficial to rest, drink plenty of fluids, consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, avoid smoking and alcohol, regulate room temperature and humidity, eat low-fat foods, avoid coffee (as it causes fluid loss), use disposable tissues, and keep the body warm.
Ways to Prevent Influenza and Common Cold
To prevent influenza and common cold, the following precautions should be taken:
- Avoid using items such as towels or cups belonging to individuals with influenza or common cold, and minimize close contact when possible.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces like door handles and telephones.
- Wash your face and hands after being in crowded environments.
- Ventilate living spaces frequently.
- Strengthen the body with regular exercise.
- Avoid tobacco products and environments where they are consumed.
- Minimize stress as much as possible.
- Follow a diet rich in vitamin C.
- Choose natural foods and avoid fast food.