Uncategorized

Viral illness season is upon us again and today’s blog is the first of a multi-part series reviewing what you really need to know about these common illnesses.

The Cold and the Flu can have very similar symptoms. They both can cause fever, cough, and nasal congestion. However, the flu is a much more severe in intensity, lasts longer, and can lead to very serious complications.

Common Cold: By far the most frequent infectious disease in humans. The average adult gets two to three colds per year while the average child may get six to eight. There are many viruses that can cause the common cold but the most common is rhinovirus (30%-80%). Significant nasal and sinus congestion are the hallmark symptoms. Patients also typically suffer from mild fatigue, general aches, and a low-grade fever.

Influenza (The Flu): While more serious, the Flu is far less common than the cold. An average adult suffers from the Flu once a decade. Typically, there is profound fever (39-40 °C) along with severe muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. What makes Influenza dangerous is its potential to cause secondary complications such as lung infections (pneumonia), inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) and the brain (encephalitis) which are life-threating and can result in death. In Canada, there is on average 12,000 hospitalization and 3,500 deaths per year caused by the Flu.

Gastroenteritis: Is viral infection of the gastrointestinal tracts causing diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. I make a quick mention of this illness since it is colloquially known as the “stomach flu”. This unfortunately leads to great confusion amongst patients believing that they are suffering from an Influenza infection. While gastroenteritis is unpleasant, it is usually self limiting and does not cause any of the worrisome complications seen with Influenza.

In the next blog I will discuss how to manage your symptoms at home and when is it necessary to seek out medical advice.

Until then, Keep it Healthy!
Dr. Matin