What Are the Common Symptoms of Cold and Flu Treatment?
Cold and flu treatments typically address symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, body aches, fatigue, and headaches. These symptoms result from the body's immune response to the viral infections that cause colds and flu. Treatments aim to alleviate discomfort and improve daily functioning. Common cold symptoms are usually milder and include sneezing, a stuffy nose, and a mild cough. In contrast, flu symptoms are more severe and can include high fever, significant body aches, pronounced fatigue, and sometimes gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting.
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptom severity and duration. Over-the-counter medications, rest, and home remedies are often used to manage these symptoms. For colds, decongestants and antihistamines help relieve nasal symptoms, while cough suppressants and throat lozenges soothe a sore throat and cough. For flu, antiviral medications may be prescribed to reduce the duration of symptoms and prevent complications, especially in high-risk individuals. Flu treatments also focus on reducing fever and body aches with medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
