As the proverb says, " Health is wealth." A good healthy body is a treasure one should maintain. Unfortunately, it's not easy to be healthy. We may suffer many health disturbances and disorders varying from season to season. Some common health problems affecting children and adults, irrespective of the season, are fever, headache, cold, cough, etc. 

Here let us see about the symptoms and treatment of Cold and Flu.

What Causes Cold? 

Any specific disease does not cause a cold. It is a health condition that affects children and adults, irrespective of the seasons. Cold’s severity and spread of colds are more, especially during winter and rainy seasons, because of the low temperature and spread of bacteria and viruses. In addition, the children get easily affected by the cold due to their close contact with the other children in the schools and the other communal gatherings. 

Cold can easily spread from one person to the other. It can be caused due to the infection by dust particles, allergens, pollutants, or due to any viral or bacterial infection. When the particle against the respiratory system enters the body, it leads to infections such as a cold.

Which Does It Mean By Flu?

Cold is the mildest one when compared to the symptoms of Flu. Influenza, generally called Flu, is an illness that affects the upper respiratory system, including the organs like the nose and throat, and even to some extent, it affects the lungs. The severity of the Flu can be mild to moderate and sometimes even causes severe effects. 

What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold?

The symptoms of a cold include mild disturbances in the healthy body. Some of the symptoms of the cold consist of the following:

• Running nose
• Headache
• Body pain
• Restlessness
• Tiredness
• Fever
• The nose gets blocked, causing an inability to breathe
•  Rise in temperature

What Are The Symptoms Of The Flu? 

The symptoms of cold and Flu vary. The common symptoms seen with the Flu infected persons include the following:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Running nose
• Body aches
• Muscle aches
• Chillness
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

In some cases, all the above said symptoms can be seen. In addition, one or two signs can be seen in the person based on the severity of the Flu infection. But the Flu infection leads to severe complications, hospitalization, and sometimes even death. Generally, Flu is very severe compared to cold conditions. 

Who Gets Affected By Cold And Flu? 

The cold and Flu can affect any person, irrespective of age and gender. The severity of the attack by cold and Flu will be more during the rainy winter conditions. Since the temperature is very low and the body is likely to get easily affected by dust particles and infections, people get attacked by colds and Flu in high populations. 

Children get more affected by Cold and Flu than adults during winter and flu season as they have more close contact with other kids. In addition, since a cold and Flu can easily spread from one person to another, children get more affected. 

The parents of the children should always have an eye over the children and their health and teach them how to avoid infectious particles, allergens, etc., to stay away from diseases. For example, the cold and Flu are almost similar to the symptoms caused in adults. But if the symptoms get severe in the children, the parents must take the child to the doctor or the health care provider. 

 What Are The Severe Symptoms Of The Flu In Children? 

The parents should know the symptoms, and the severity found with their children for diagnosis and treatment. Some children may recover quickly, but others may take time. For example, if the following symptoms are found in the children, the child has to be hospitalized for health recovery:

• The child is lazy.
• The child is without total energy or lacking energy.
• Fever at 105-degree celsius at some time.
• Fever at 102-degree celsius persists over a long period, like three days, without any improvement in recovery.
• The Flu infected child will not urinate for 8 hours.
• The child cannot drink any liquids.
• The child feels difficulty breathing. 
• Shortness of breathing
• The skin around the ribs gets sucked in, called retractions.

If the above-said symptoms are found in your child, the severity of the Flu is, and the child has to be diagnosed by the doctor. Parents should be aware of this and take care of their children.

Treatment For Cold And Flu

• Self-care is the most important treatment for a Cold and flu. 
• Keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. 
• Drink warm or hot water during cold and Flu seasons. 
• Have a good sleep of 6-8 hours. 
• Stay away from infectious particles, allergens, etc. Intake of antibiotics if you are affected by cold and Flu. 
• Gargle salt water if your throat is disturbed. 
• If you are not recovering from the above treatments, you can consult a doctor or a health care provider. 

Conclusion

Health is one's responsibility, children or adults, whoever may be. One should take care of their health. It is very necessary. Keep your body healthy always. 

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