The virus becomes airborne when a person with the flu coughs or sneezes and a person nearby can become infected. The flu and a cold are both viral infections which commonly cause symptoms like coughing and sore throat. The flu is usually more severe than a cold and produces higher fevers along with aches and pains. Antibiotics are not effective at treating the flu because the flu is a virus and antibiotics only kill bacteria. However, during the first 24 hours of symptoms, there are new medications available to limit the duration and severity of the flu.
Rest is important in the treatment process.
Drink plenty of fluids. The flu is contagious for 3 or 4 days after symptoms surface so be careful to avoid spreading it to others. These viruses attack and multiply in the cells in the nose and throat lining. Colds are more commonly spread through hand to hand contact than by coughing or sneezing. Touching a surface shortly after an infected person and then touching your eyes or nose can infect you.