Colds 

Cause              

• By virus
• Over 200 viruses cause common colds.
• Spread by hand contact, coughing & sneezing.          
• Cold lasts 1-2 days.
• Causes mild fever. 
• No muscular pains or shivering attacks.
• Cause runny nose.          
• There is no cure.
• Will recover in about a week.
• Cough mixtures will not help.
• Symptoms can be relieved.

Flu

Cause

• Caused by highly contagious virus.
• Spread by coughs & sneezes More than a bad cold.
• Flu lasts up to a week. Causes high fever.
• Causes muscular pain & shivering attacks.
• Starts with dry sensation in nose & throat.
• People at risk should be immunized

Symptoms      

•  sneezing     
•  sore throat  
•  cough          
•  headache
•  red eyes      
•  swelling lymph glands
•  Often loss of appetite & sometimes
•  Nausea and some vomiting

Symptoms

• sweating
• sore throat
• weakness
• headache
• generalised muscle/joint pains (leg & back)
• non-productive cough, that can become more severe and productive

Treatment

•  paracetamol per directions if fever present
•  warm drinks to ease sore/dry mouth
•  nasal drops/spray too ease blocked nose
•  lozenges

Treatment

• specific antiviral drugs, effectiveness is limited
• rest in bed until temperature has been normal for 48 hours
• paracetamol per directions for aches and pains

consult Doctor where breathing becomes difficult, coughing green/yellow phlegm or severe headache develops