Via practica 6/2013

Influenza versus common cold

Acute respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity across all age groups. A wide range of respiratory viruses have been detected in acute respiratory tract infections: influenza A and B (flu-viruses) and non- flu viruses: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza viruses (PIV), adenoviruses (AV), human rhinoviruses (HRV) and coronaviruses OC 43 and 22 9E. The recent advances in molecular technology have enabled the detection of several new viral agents: human metapneumovirus (hMPV), coronaviruses NL63 (HcoV-NL63) and HKU1 (HcoV-HKU1). Probably cause of ARI are human bocavirus (HBoV) and polyomaviruses WU (WUPyV) and KI (KIPyV). Common cold is a frequent, self-limiting illness with incidence arround all year. Influenza is characterised by fever with cough and/or sore throat, occurs as annual seasonal epidemics – usually in winter or early spring. Clinical symptoms of influenza and „common cold infections“ are discussed.

Keywords: influeza, common cold, symptoms, clinical diagnosis.