It's Medical Monday at Aortic Hope.
🤔Many people may wonder how to tell the difference between 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗮 𝗳𝗹𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱, especially since they share some common symptoms. Here are some tips to help you distinguish them:
- 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 are caused by your immune system reacting to a substance that is usually harmless, such as pollen, dust or pet dander. They tend to affect the nose and eyes, causing sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and sometimes a sore throat or cough. Allergies 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 cause a fever or body aches, and they usually last as long as you are exposed to the allergen. Allergies can also be triggered by certain foods or medications.
- A 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗱 is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat and sinuses. It can cause sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headache and mild fatigue. A cold usually does not cause a fever, unless it is complicated by a bacterial infection. A cold usually lasts for a few days to a week, and 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 for the first three days. There is no cure for a cold, but you can treat the symptoms with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medicines.
- A 𝗳𝗹𝘂 is also a viral infection that affects the respiratory system, but it is more severe than a cold. It can cause fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat and sometimes nausea or vomiting. A flu usually lasts for a week to 10 days, but it can take longer to recover from its complications. A flu is 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀
for the first three to four days. The best way to prevent a flu is to get vaccinated every year. You can also treat the symptoms with antiviral drugs if prescribed by your doctor within 48 hours of onset.
- 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 is a new disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It can affect different parts of the body, but mainly the lungs. It can cause fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. COVID-19 can range from mild to severe or even fatal. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀. COVID-19 symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. The only way to confirm if you have COVID-19 is to get tested. There are some treatments available for COVID-19 depending on the severity of your condition. You can also prevent COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and following public health guidelines such as wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands frequently.
🤧Be mindful of the OTC (over-the-counter) medications you use to help alleviate symptoms as many can cause an increase in blood pressure and/or heart rate.
👉Talk with your clinicians if you become ill or suffer from allergies for the appropriate relief.
(*𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘)
: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/covid-19-cold-flu-and-allergies-differences/art-20503981
: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/01/it-flu-covid-19-allergies-or-cold
: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/11/health/coronavirus-cold-allergies-flu-difference-symptoms-wellness-trnd/index.html
: https://www.businessinsider.com/difference-between-covid-19-delta-symptoms-cold-flu-allergies-2021-7