Knowing your illness: Cold, flu similar to other winter ailments
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Submitted photo Submitted photo Brandon Greiner, a physician assistant and Director of Provider Affairs for MedExpress.
When you come down with a virus, it’s not as simple as saying you have a cold.
There are numerous explanations for your symptoms, according to Brandon Greiner, a physician’s assistant and director of Provider affairs with MedExpress, who said, “Flu and influenza-like illness, or illness that presents with symptoms similar to those of the flu, are very common this time of year.”
“We see more than just flu, too, this time of year — many people come in with colds, strep throat, ear infections and upper respiratory infections like sinusitis — or sinus infections — and bronchitis, as well,” he added.
Each illness may impact various parts of your senses and likely include an infection of some sort, and at times may appear similar to one another.
“Signs and symptoms of the flu are often similar to the common cold, like cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and a headache,” Greiner said. “But look for other signs and symptoms of the flu, like fever, chest discomfort, extreme exhaustion, weakness and severe body aches.”
“While symptoms of the common cold typically start slowly and increase in severity over a period of days, flu symptoms tend to come on quickly,” he added. “On the other hand, a sore throat, stuffy head and body aches with no fever is usually a sign of the common cold.”
An infection is also behind one of the more painful ailments this season that can impact not only what you’re eating and drinking, but how you feel overall. Greiner said strep throat, though it may appear to be a bad sore throat, can actually lead to red and swollen tonsils, a tender neck and difficulty swallowing. Red spots can also appear at the back of your mouth, he said.
“Also keep an eye out for fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or a rash — especially in children — as these are common signs that your sore throat could be strep,” he said.
Moving up from the throat, another common infection begins in the tubes behind your middle ear. Greiner said an ear infection can cause pain that makes it tough to hear, sleep and eat.
For children, Greiner said it’s common to see a low fever and crying, as well as the child tugging or pulling at their ear, particularly while lying down. In adults, tenderness and swelling in and around the ear are common, as is the recommendation in some cases that the fluid be drained from their ear.
However, if a tight chest, coughing or even post-nasal drip are your symptoms, it might instead be an upper respiratory infection like sinusitis or a sinus infection. Bronchitis may also be an explanation for the symptoms.
“If you have a headache with pressure around your eyes in addition to post-nasal drip, you may have a sinus infection,” he said. “Coughing, low-grade fever and tightness in your chest when you cough often indicates bronchitis.”
At the onset of a fever or flu-like symptoms, it might seem like the time to “sleep it off” or wait for it to run its course.
However, Greiner recommends speaking with a healthcare professional early on to help find “symptom relief and potentially shorten the duration of your illness.”
“Plus, if you have the flu, there are medications that your doctor may prescribe called ‘antivirals.’ These drugs can make you better faster and also may prevent serious complications — but are best if taken within 48 hours after the onset of flu symptoms,” he said, “so be sure to visit a healthcare professional as soon as possible.”
That being said, though, Greiner also recommends helping your body fight an infection by “getting extra rest and drinking plenty of fluids.”
“Gargling salt water or sipping warm tea can help relieve a sore throat, and taking a warm shower or bath can help combat stuffiness and congestion and can open airways,” he added. “For earaches or sinus pressure, it can be helpful to apply heat to the outside of the ear and cheeks with a warm wash cloth or warm compress to ease aches.”