We’ve all been there – you wake up with a sore throat, you have a cough or a fever and just don’t feel quite right.
But sometimes you’re not sure: is it a cold, a flu or something else?
Take Note of Symptoms
Susan Rehm, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic says it’s important to take note of the exact symptoms to get the best and quickest diagnosis.
“There are many different respiratory viruses in addition to influenza, so it’s important to differentiate, if you can, the difference between influenza and other respiratory viruses,” she says.
Rehm adds it can be tough to know for sure which is which, so it’s important to contact a doctor right away to make sure it’s not an infection that requires antibiotics. Even if it is a flu, she says people may be able to benefit from taking prescription anti-viral medication, if symptoms are caught within the first 48 hours.
Check the F.A.C.T.S.
To do a quick symptom check for flu, think F-A-C-T-S:
F = Fever
A = Aches
C = Chills
T = Tiredness
S = Sudden onset of symptoms
Rehm says the “sudden onset” is particularly important as it is a trademark symptom of influenza, whereas colds usually begin with a stuffy nose or sore throat and then progress gradually.
Not Everything is the Flu
Rehm said many people have a tendency to blame a lot of other illnesses on the “flu” – adding to the confusion – so it’s important to know what true flu symptoms are in order to get appropriate treatment.
“We tend to call a lot of things the ‘flu,’” Rehm says. “As a matter of fact, people get diarrhea and they say they have the flu. Well, the flu is a respiratory illness; it’s not a gastrointestinal illness.”
Rehm recommends those who feel the sudden onset of flu symptoms, or who are experiencing any respiratory problems, should call a doctor to help get them an accurate diagnosis and get on the road to recovery.
— Submitted by Cleveland Clinic News Service
