Cold is a contagious disease that can be caused by over 200 viruses. Often known as upper respiratory tract infection, cold can be a quite irritating type of condition that causes runny nose, sneezing and blocked nose. It is the leading cause of illness throughout the world. Flu is an infectious disease caused by influenza virus, which is primarily of three types – A, B, C, with A virus causing the most severe illness.
Cold is a contagious disease that can be caused by over 200 viruses. Often known as upper respiratory tract infection, cold can be a quite irritating type of condition that causes runny nose, sneezing and blocked nose. It is the leading cause of illness throughout the world. Flu is an infectious disease caused by influenza virus, which is primarily of three types – A, B, C, with A virus causing the most severe illness.
Symptoms and Causes
Cold tends to produce runny or blocked nose, fatigue, sore throat and congestion. You often don't have a fever when you have cold alone; however, when it is flu, you tend to get fever. Flu causes fever, headache, chills, shivering, sweating, aching muscles and fatigue. Common cold usually occurs during season change and winters, though this doesn't mean you can't catch cold at any other time of the year.
Treatment
Unless it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are a waste of time for treating common cold. As an antioxidant, Vitamin C helps the body in fighting infection and is known to have a strong anti-viral effect. Vitamin C is known to neutralise free radicals, boost the immune system and kill infection-causing viruses in the body. Zinc is thought to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu symptoms, if taken in the initial stages of infection. Probiotics can also support and strengthen the immune system. A daily dose of probiotics help minimise the chance of viral infection.
