Have Similar Symptoms, It Turns Out This Is The Difference Between The Common Flu and Influenza

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Colds, aka the common cold and influenza has similar symptoms, but is actually a different disease. This was conveyed by Medical Expert Combiphar doctor Carlinda Nekawaty. “In general, people cannot differentiate. Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, the common cold is caused by rhinovirus,” said Carlinda in a health webinar, Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

Read: Call the Covid-19 Virus One Big Wave, WHO: Not Seasonal Like Influenza

The body temperature of a person with a cold is usually just warm, or around 37 Celsius. Meanwhile, people with influenza are experiencing fever can reach 38 degrees Celsius or more. Influenza sufferers usually feel more severe body symptoms such as rheumatism. “In pediatric patients, usually the child will whine with body pain,” said Carlinda.

Other symptoms of influenza are similar to the common cold, namely headaches, weakness, sneezing, coughs and colds. People who have a cold can experience symptoms of a sore throat and nasal congestion.

What is the difference between influenza and flu usual? Colds usually get better without vaccines or special treatment from a doctor. Cold symptoms are generally milder and on average do not require specific treatment, this disease can be cured if the immune system is maximized. Meanwhile, influenza sufferers have more severe symptoms such as high fever, muscle aches and headaches that are more intense than the common cold. If left untreated, influenza can lead to complications, including lung infections, aka pneumonia.

The similarities between these two diseases must be watched out by parents when their children fall ill. Do not let a child with influenza think that he only has the cold so that he / she is not treated properly. “One of the symptoms of influenza is muscle pain, so the child can feel achy, aching all over the body. It could be that he is whining not to go to school because his body is sick. A severe headache also leads to influenza (symptoms),” he said.

If the common cold, aka the common cold, experiences peak severity for two to three days, complaints of influenza can be experienced for about 5-10 days and even continue for up to a month. “The annual vaccine can help prevent and limit complications,” he said.

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