People often consider cold and flu symptoms as minor inconveniences. Simple symptoms like coughing, a blocked or runny nose, headaches, a sore throat and mild to severe fever may seem alarming, but they are manageable for many.
People take over-the-counter medications to rid themselves of the symptoms, and it works for the most part. However, according to medical professionals, these symptoms can escalate rapidly if ignored or taken lightly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu can lead to many complications. Some of the common ones are pneumonia, which is serious, and ear and sinus infections, both being milder cases. Other complications can include inflammation of the heart, brain and muscle tissues, as well as multiple organ failures.
Those who have asthma may experience asthma attacks triggered by the flu, and those with chronic illnesses may see their conditions worsen.
Many people believe cold weather and temperatures cause common colds, which is incorrect. Cold or moist weather and temperatures alone do not cause such problems, but they can contribute to the spread of viruses that could cause them.
Many viruses can cause the common cold, but the most frequent cause in the United States is rhinovirus. Colds usually last about a week or less for many, and symptoms can peak around two to three days, as per the CDC.
Depending on the type of virus, colds can also lead to complications later. Mild to moderate complications include middle ear infections and sinus infections. The severe complications include bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis and asthma attacks, as noted by the CDC. Some of them have symptoms similar to the flu.
Some viruses, like COVID-19, can have severe outcomes, leading to more severe illnesses. They can cause symptoms that appear similar to a common cold, but are not a common cold.
Although anyone can contract the common cold or flu, certain groups are more susceptible to the infections and complications that can make the symptoms severe.
Older people, children younger than 5, people with chronic illness and those with weaker immune systems are more vulnerable, according to medical professionals. Children suffer from colds more than adults each year, thus colds are one of the main reasons for school absences for children.
It is generally advised by many universities, schools and workplaces to stay home to avoid spreading flu or a cold. Preventative care, such as vaccines, which are offered by many universities, can aid in reducing the spread of illness.
Cold and flu symptoms might appear harmless at first glance, but there could be a chance they could become deadly. Keeping a close eye on the symptoms and tracking the warning signs can help prevent serious health complications.
