When the weather outside turns chilly, cold and flu season begins. So starts a season of sniffles, soreness, and sneezing. But what is the cause? Is the common cold causing chaos in its characteristic way, or is it the more serious influenza? For that matter, is the difference important?

While the cold and flu have similar symptoms, they are caused by completely different viruses. The care patterns are similar, but disease progression is not identical between the two. Differentiating between cold and flu may not seem like a significant priority to many (why worry if you’re just going to lay down and drink soup either way?). However, triage nurses should be able to determine which condition is in play to know which treatment protocol to employ. Doing so will help ensure that the patient reaches the right level of care.

Spotting the Difference Between the Cold and Flu

Triage nurses have different protocols associated with different diseases, and the cold and flu are no different. In order to apply the correct protocol during the triage process, triage nurses should have a good grasp of the different signs and symptoms of the flu and the common cold. This comes down to having a thorough understanding of both illnesses. 

The Common Cold

The common cold is a sure way to put a damper on anyone’s day. It is associated with sore throat, nasal congestion or drainage, coughing and sneezing in a progression that generally has a slow onset. Though fatigue or sluggishness is common, patients are commonly capable of performing their daily activities. 

The cold results from the infection of several different viruses, including parainfluenza, rhinoviruses, and seasonal coronaviruses (not to be confused with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19). Generally speaking, the symptoms of the common cold are more mild than those of the flu, leaning heavily on congested or overactive sinuses. Colds do not usually lead to serious health problems.

Flu

The symptoms of the flu are similar to but generally more intense than those of the cold. Again, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and coughing are common, but so too are headaches, fatigue, muscle or body aches, and fever and chills. It is also expected that patients with the flu will feel run-down for a week or more.

The flu is only caused by influenza viruses, and people are usually exposed by infected airborne droplets. As a rule, the flu is more serious than the common cold because of the heightened intensity of its pathology and because it can lead to more dangerous health complications like bronchitis, sinusitis, or ear infections.

Providing Solutions

Once triage nurses have determined whether a patient has the cold or the flu, the correct protocol can be employed to care for the patient. If the correct diagnosis remains unclear, triage nurses should err on the side of caution and apply the protocol that will provide the highest acuity or the safest outcome for the patient.

The most common recommended treatment for both cold and flu patients is administered at home. This is because home care treatment is the most effective way of treating both conditions. A typical home care treatment regimen usually includes taking it slow and babying the pain:

• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Avoiding physical exertion
• Getting adequate bed rest
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) in the case of fever

If the illness doesn’t relent in 10 days or if fever symptoms worsen, patients should visit a healthcare provider. If patients are elderly or immunocompromised, it is especially important for them to err on the side of caution when it comes to the flu and the cold. 

On the Safe Side

The best way to treat both cold and flu is to avoid them in the first place. Especially during the colder months, be careful when being around other people. Wash your hands frequently, and always after you sneeze, cough, or shake hands with others. The CDC recommends that patients receive the flu vaccination annually to combat the year’s current strains. 

For those who cannot avoid close contact with others, including triage nurses and other medical staff, follow regular safety protocols for avoiding contracting the flu or the cold. Personal protective equipment is designed to help keep both patients and providers safe. Fighting back against infectious viruses is a team effort, and we are all in it together.

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