Is This A Cold or Flu?!?!

[franceslee]

Yesterday I started getting very congested in my nose,  sore throat, gunky eyes, nauseated and just not feeling good.   My thermometer said like 99.3, which I know really isn't consiconsidered a fever.   I haven't been able to sleep very well....

How do I know if this is just a cold/sinus infection or if it's the flu?!?!   What can I do to feel better quickly?!

Thanks for your help!

[franceslee]

Do you ever experience dizziness with your allergies??

[margypops]

I think its allergies ..I have similar and a dry cough, in CA we are being bombarded with aerial spraying and I think its something they spray ..many round here have the same .

[franceslee]

Thanks for your help!   I was actually up at midnight doing the pan on top of stove steam!   It did looses it up some.   Today my nose just drip,  drip,  drips but I'm still congested.  I'm trying to drink extra water,  I've been eating some but not lots. Still nauseated!  

[jemma116]

With influenza, your bones would ache, you would feel very cold with possible rigor (shaking due to feeling cold) and your temperature would be very high.    You don't always get a runny nose or congestion with an influenza virus.

Sounds like you do have some type of virus and possibly an infection.  With infections, the body temperature can fluctuate by going up and down.  

There is no quick fix, but you can take cold remedies to help relieve your symptoms.  Keep warm and drink plenty of fluids.  For a sore throat you can gargle with salty water, use antibacterial throat lozenges and use them as directed on the packet.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet with fruit and veg.  If you are off your food, do not worry, but do drink plenty of diluted juices, and chicken soup is very good too.  

Some people find that taking zinc supplements shortens the duration of a virus like a cold.  

For the congestion you can do steam inhalations, by boiling up a kettleful of water and pouring that into a bowl (taking care not to get scalded).  Put in some Vick or Olbas oil or any menthol drops you like.  Bend your head over the bowl of water and cover your head and bowl with a towel.  Breathe in the steam through your nose and out through your mouth.  My doctor advised me to do this 4 times a day for a duration for 10 minutes each time.  But you can do this less and not for so long - entirely up to you.

If you eyes are very gunky, you may need to see your doctor to get some eye drops or ointment.  At home dampen a piece of cotton wool with cooled boiled water and wipe one eye from nearest the nose to the outer edge and throw away the cotton wool.  Use a fresh piece of cotton wool to wipe the other eye.  Do not share any towels or pillows with anyone.

If the doctor feels that it is an infection, he may prescribe an antibiotic.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.