Dr Oscar Duke revealed on BBC’s Morning Live that there is a way to tell the difference between a cold and a flu – although it can be tricky. The health expert said that with kids back at school and the colder weather setting in, it’s inevitable many of us will get sick and Google search ‘do I have a cold or the flu?
Helping tell answer this question, Dr Oscar Duke, who gained popularity from the award-winning documentary, 24 Hours in A&E, shared his insights on BBC Morning Live saying that people are more likely to catch a cold or the flu because of what happens in the cold weather. This is because people tend to stay indoors more when it’s cold and raining outside meaning that when you are shopping or in the cinema, for example, you are in a smaller space with people which increases your chances of catching their illness. “So being in close proximity in colder weather makes you more likely to get it, and it just happens at this time of year”, Dr Duke explained.
Do I have a cold or the flu?
Dr Duke explains: “It’s difficult to say because a lot of the symptoms overlap. These are all viral infections so you get a runny nose, a sore throat and maybe a fever” but there are some ways you can tell.
If you have a cold…
- Symptoms appear gradually
- Affects mainly your nose and throat
- Feel unwell but okay to carry on as normal
If you have the flu…
- Appears quickly within a few hours
- Affects more than your nose and throat
- Feel exhausted and unable to carry on as normal
NHS common cold warning
According to the NHS, when it comes to the common cold, you should see a GP if you experience the following:
- you have a high temperature for more than 3 days
- your cold symptoms get worse
- your temperature is very high or you feel hot and shivery
- you feel short of breath or have chest pain
- you’re worried about your child’s cold symptoms
- your cold symptoms do not get better after 10 days
- you have a cough for more than 3 weeks
- you get cold symptoms and you have a long-term medical condition (for example, diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition)
- you get cold symptoms and you have a weakened immune system (for example, because you’re having chemotherapy)
They warn: “GPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery. Antibiotics only work if you have a bacterial infection, but colds are caused by viruses.”
NHS flu warning
The health service further warns that if you or your child have symptoms of flu and you fit any of the below, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or dial 111.
- 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
You should call 999 if you get sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing or start coughing up a lot of blood, they add.