The NHS has shared the difference between a cold and the flu as cases of the latter surge across hospitals in the West Midlands. University Hospitals Birmingham declared a critical incident due to ‘exceptional demand’.
It is the first time they have done so since the Covid pandemic in 2020. It comes as around 300 inpatients in Birmingham have flu with 13 of them are in critical care with serious complications.
And according to the NHS, the main difference between flu and a cold is how quickly the symptoms come on. For example, with flu a person will feel ill within a few hours whereas a cold comes on more gradually.
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Other symptoms of flu include a high temperature and being sick. The NHS says that symptoms of flu can include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active. They added that with flu, symptoms appears quickly within a few hours and they affects more than just your nose and throat, It also makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal
This is different to a cold which appears gradually, affects mainly your nose and throat and makes you feel unwell, but you still feel well enough to do your normal activities.
Anyone who believes they have flu should:
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they’re distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you’re not sure
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
See a GP or call 111 if:
You or your child have symptoms of flu and:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after 7 days
Call 999 or attend A&E if:
- get sudden chest pain
- have difficulty breathing
- start coughing up a lot of blood
Always consult a professional for medical advice.