What is the Difference Between Flu and Fever
Flu vs. Fever: Key Differences You Should Know
The difference between flu and fever is often extremely confusing because of the similarities in their symptoms. Whereas flu or influenza refers to a communicable viral illness, fever is a symptom that causes the core body temperature to go above a set point.
Both adults and children are affected by these illnesses and heal within a few days. However, these can be life-threatening if not properly treated in time.
Difference Between Flu and Fever
Here is a detailed overview of the difference between flu and fever:
| Parameters | Flu | Fever |
| Symptoms | Runny or stuffy nose, coughing, fever, chills, sore throat, headache, diarrhoea, tiredness, vomiting.
| Shivering, sweating, irritability, chills, muscle aches, dehydration, nasal congestion, weakness. |
| Cause | Flu occurs when the Influenza virus affects the upper and lower respiratory tract. | Fever occurs when the body fights an infection and inflammation. |
| How it Spreads | Flu spreads through airborne droplets if an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. | The fever is not contagious, but the infection that is causing it might be. |
| Severity | There are three flu surveillance indicators, they are: Influenza-like illness (ILI) outpatient visits, Flu-related hospitalisations, Flu deaths
| Any temperature above the core body temperature leads to fever. Low-Grade: 99.1 to 100.4°F, Moderate Grade: 100.6 to 102.2°F, High Grade: 102.4 to 105.8°F |
| Duration | The flu can last from a few days to two weeks | Fever can last for three to four days |
| Diagnosis | Based on your symptoms and taking a mucus sample from the nose or nasal swabs flu is diagnosed. | If the fever does not heal within a few days, healthcare professionals check for respiratory or any other infection to diagnose the reason for the fever. |
| Treatment | Even though many people treat the flu without any prescribed medications, doctors prescribe Antivirals to reduce the severity of the flu. | Fever is self-treated using home remedies and over-the-counter medications. Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that may cause fever. |
| Potential Complication | A case of flu might turn complicated if a patient develops signs of Sinusitis, Pneumonia and so on. Especially, patients with a history of respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma might experience complications of the flu. | If the fever does not heal within three to four days and the symptoms worsen, blood tests are conducted to make a further diagnosis. Long-lasting fever means the body is unable to fight off the infection.
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| Prevention | Flu is a seasonal disease worldwide. Therefore, in India, the seasonal influenza vaccine has been introduced since it is considered the most effective way to treat the flu. | To prevent fever, it is necessary to limit exposure to infectious agents. Prevention methods like frequent hand washing, covering mouth while coughing or sneezing, carrying hand sanitisers, etc, are effective. |
Different Initiatives to Prevent Flu and Fever
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System helps to protect people from influenza threats by surveying and monitoring influenza on a global scale.
The Indian Government has also taken multiple initiatives to prevent these diseases through vaccination, awareness creation among communities, etc.
To take an appropriate course of action, it is necessary to understand the difference between flu and fever. Many people use the terms flu and fever interchangeably, not knowing their key differences.
Flu is a highly contagious disease; in contrast, fever shows up when the body fights an infection. Both are curable through simple natural remedies and active preventive measures.
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