Influenza (Flu) FAQ : Flu and Other Diseases

by CDC

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Cold Versus Flu

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

The Flu and Staph Infection

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria healthy people can carry on the skin or in the nose. Staph bacteria commonly cause skin infections. Most of these infections are minor, appearing as pimples and boils, and are treated without antibiotics.

In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, in the bones and in the lungs (pneumonia). Most serious staph bacteria infections are treated with an antibiotic related to penicillin. However, over the past 50 years, some staph bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, including the commonly used penicillin-related antibiotics. These resistant bacteria are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

If I have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on my skin, am I at higher risk for getting MRSA-related complications if I get influenza?

The overall risk of developing an MRSA infection after influenza appears to be very low. However, CDC continues to work with state and local public health authorities to better understand this association.

How can I prevent staph or MRSA skin infections?

Good hygiene helps prevent staph and MRSA skin infections: Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing (e.g., bandage) until healed. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds.

How is staph infection treated?

Several antibiotics can be used to treat most staph infections, including MRSA. If antibiotics are prescribed, patients should complete the full course and call their doctors if the infection does not improve.

What is being done about MRSA infections associated with influenza?

CDC is working with state and local public health authorities to monitor and investigate infections with MRSA, including pneumonias and other types of MRSA infections that occur in patients with influenza. CDC also acts as a technical advisor to state and local health departments and various professional organizations that are working to control MRSA.

The Flu and SARS

Does CDC recommend influenza vaccination to reduce the likelihood of getting a respiratory tract illness that could be mistaken for SARS?

No. CDC does not recommend that influenza vaccination be considered as a way to avoid confusing influenza disease with an influenza-like illness caused by SARS.

Influenza vaccination is the primary means of preventing influenza and its severe complications, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. Complications from influenza infection most often occur among people 65 years of age and older, people less than 65 years of age who have certain medical conditions, and children less than 2 years old. Influenza vaccination is targeted toward these high-risk groups, all people 50 to 64 years of age (because a high proportion of them have at least one high-risk condition), health-care workers, and household contacts of high-risk persons.

Influenza viruses are only one cause of influenza-like illness (fever, body aches, headaches). Even during the fall and winter influenza season, many other infectious agents (including SARS-associated coronavirus) can cause influenza-like illness, and most influenza-like illnesses are not caused by influenza viruses (or SARS-associated coronavirus). The influenza vaccine can prevent 70-90% of influenza-like illnesses caused by influenza viruses, but does not prevent influenza-like illness caused by infectious agents other than influenza viruses.

Other Respiratory Viruses

Do other respiratory viruses circulate during the flu season?

In addition to the flu virus, several other respiratory viruses also can circulate during the flu season and can cause symptoms and illness similar to those seen with flu infection. These non-flu viruses include rhinovirus (one cause of the "common cold") and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children as well as a leading cause of death from respiratory illness in those aged 65 years and older.

About the Author

www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves.