
The flu shot has a good safety and effectiveness record. The CDC recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot every year, with rare exceptions. The best way to protect against the flu is by having an annual vaccination, as this helps the body build immunity against influenza viruses so that it can fight them off more easily.
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Learn more about how to treat colds and the flu at home. acetaminophen (Tylenol) and similar medications can relieve aches and pains.gargling with salt water or sucking on a lozenge can ease the pain of a sore throat.a vapor bath with eucalyptus can ease congestion.vapor rubs can make it easier to breathe.saline nose drops can help clear a blocked nose.The following home remedies can also help: Drinking plenty of fluids and getting lots of rest can also speed up recovery. OTC drugs can relieve uncomfortable symptoms, including pains, aches, and fever, helping the person feel more comfortable while they recover. These drugs can reduce symptoms, shorten the illness by 1–2 days, and prevent serious complications. If a person is at risk for severe flu complications, the CDC recommend prompt treatment with antiviral medications. During this time, they can relieve their symptoms using home remedies. Most people who have a cold or the flu will recover within 2 weeks without medical treatment. Read more about treating the common cold here.Īntibiotics do not work against either colds or the flu. However, people with a weakened immune system and those with asthma or another condition that affects the airways could become seriously ill from a cold. People can manage the symptoms by resting as much as possible, drinking plenty of fluids, and using over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines if necessary.Ĭomplications are rare, and there is normally no need to visit a doctor. There is no cure, but colds will get better on their own. The symptoms of colds appear gradually and peak within 2–3 days. In response, the nose creates clear mucus to wash the virus away. Viruses that cause the cold typically enter the body through the nose and sinuses. Most people will have had many colds from infancy all the way through to later life. Learn more about the differences between the flu and COVID-19 here.Ĭolds are very common respiratory illnesses that are usually due to infections with rhinoviruses.Ĭolds are one of the most frequent reasons for people missing work or school, with the average adult in the U.S. breathes in respiratory droplets that contain the virus.has close contact with someone who has the virus.Both viruses are contagious and can transfer to a person who: People can catch colds and flu in the same way.

Cold symptoms, which are generally milder, typically peak within 2–3 days and then get better gradually over a week or two. Most people recover from the flu in a few days to 2 weeks. Each year, flu-related complications cause thousands of hospitalizations and deaths. Conversely, the flu can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia or bacterial infections. ComplicationsĬolds do not usually lead to any further issues, although they can increase the chance of people with asthma having an asthma attack.

The symptoms of a cold or the flu are also similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, which the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes. To know for sure whether they have a cold or the flu, a person can get a special diagnostic test within a few days of their symptoms starting. People may have the flu without key symptoms such as fever. Neither vomiting nor diarrhea is usually associated with the common cold, but both can be present in the flu.
