In the impression of many people, influenza is just a cold, but in fact, the two are completely different concepts and preventive measures are also different.
The common cold we usually talk about refers to the common cold, commonly known as “cold”. Its main characteristics are: the etiology is complex and diverse, including various viruses, mycoplasma, and a few bacteria, all of which can cause colds, and there are more than 100 types of the main pathogenic rhinovirus alone. A cold can be caused by different pathogens each time it occurs, so that a person can catch a cold multiple times a year. The onset of colds has obvious self factors, and there is a great difference between people who often suffer from colds and those who do not.
Influenza is totally different. The pathogen is only three types of influenza viruses. There is no incentive for the onset of influenza, and it will not occur many times in a year. Moreover, influenza is highly infectious and has a high incidence rate.
In terms of symptoms, the common cold has mild symptoms, mainly characterized by respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion, while influenza not only presents more severe respiratory symptoms, but also accompanied by joint pain. In addition, influenza can also easily cause serious complications such as acute bronchitis and myocarditis. Pregnant women suffering from influenza can lead to miscarriage or increase the risk of developing leukemia in newborns compared to normal pregnant women.