By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU? -- WHEN IN DOUBT CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Question: Can you refresh my memory on the differences and similarities between the common cold and the flu? Every year when people in my family get sick, we are never sure if we need to go to the doctor or not. We all got our flu shots this year, so hopefully no one will get sick.

Answer: This is a great question as flu season commonly starts in January. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, it is not too late and there is still plenty of vaccine available. Influenza, or flu as it is more commonly called, usually is worse than just a cold.

The difference in symptoms can be somewhat subtle with a good deal of overlap. I can, though, give you some general guidelines to help distinguish between the two ailments. First let’s look at the similarities. Both a cold and the flu can produce a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose and a cough. Influenza, on the other hand, often adds to the misery with additional symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue and general body aches. And, the cough associated with the flu is more likely to be a dry rather than a mucous-producing cough. Your doctor will probably refer to the latter as simply a “productive cough.”

Colds do not usually lead to serious complications such as bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, and sinus infections. They also do not as a rule make common medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart failure worse. People with colds typically do not have to be hospitalized. By contrast, in the United States more than 200,000 people are hospitalized annually with the flu. And yes, people can die from flu and its complications -- about 36,000 each year.

The American Academy of Family Physicians’ website has a neat little chart to help you distinguish a cold from the flu: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/517.html

If you are not sure what is going on, you should be in contact with your physician. Many times questions can be answered over the phone. If you are elderly, have ongoing medical conditions, or are caring for a young child, I recommend that you be more aggressive in seeking medical care. That means going to see a doctor sooner rather than later -- even if you think you just have a cold.

Generally with either a cold or the flu, treating the symptoms such as fever, runny nose and cough with over-the- counter remedies can help the ill person to rest and eat better during the illness. Staying well hydrated is important when managing almost any illness. There are antiviral medications that can be of help with the flu, but can only be obtained by prescription and my not be the right thing to do in every case.

As with most diseases, prevention is usually the best medicine. However, even if you get a flu shot you can still get the flu -- but it will probably be a milder case.
If you come down with the flu or a cold, regular and thorough handwashing can help to minimize the spread of the illness. Don’t forget to wipe down common surfaces at home as well as objects like the phone and the remote control. Unfortunately with influenza, you are generally contagious one day before you get any symptoms. But if you practice good handwashing hygiene as a regular habit, you will be adding yet another layer to your preventative medical armor.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.