Flu and Fever are two types of infections and not diseases. Where Flu is a viral infection and Fever is one of the aspects of symptoms of Flu. But, at the same time Fever can also be an infection of its own. Fever can also be termed to be the main symptom of various infections. Also, Flu and Fever can be contagious and can be spread easily if not treated correctly or at the correct time.
Flu vs Fever
The main difference between Flu and Fever is that Flu is a respiratory infection and it attacks the breathing process of an individual. On the other hand, Fever is the rise of the normal temperature of a body, that is caused by the infection of an individual’s body. Also, fever is one of the symptoms of Flu. Both Flu and Fever are two contagious infections, but flu is a more serious infection and can spread quickly than fever. Viral fever is more contagious than normal fever.
Flu is an infection. It is also commonly known as Influenza. The main cause of Flu is the Influenza virus. It is a dangerous and contagious virus that can cause severe infection in an individual’s body. Flu can be divided into two types, where one is related to the respiratory system and the other one is related to the stomach. Both Flu types have their causes and symptoms. The Flu or Influenza can also be deadly, if not treated correctly on time. It can be harmful to people with a low immune system.
On the other hand, Fever is also a virus, that raises the body’s normal temperature from 98.6°F to around 100°F or more. Fevers are of various types based on their causes and symptoms. Generally, Fever doesn’t flow easily except the viral fever. The normal fever can be cured easily with the help of some medications. If the body cannot cope up with the infection then fever can also be deadly. It depends upon the person’s immunity capability.
Comparison Table Between Flu and Fever
| Parameters of Comparison | Flu | Fever |
| Definition | Flu is an infection that commonly weakens the respiratory system like the nose, throat, and lungs in an individual’s body. | Fever refers to the increase in body temperature. |
| Types | Flu is of two types and they are respiratory flu and stomach flu. | Fever can be divided into various types depending upon its symptoms, and they are intermittent fever, sudden high fever, continuous fever, remittent fever, and Rheumatic fever. |
| Specialist Department | The specialist department that treats Flu is Primary Care Physician, Pediatrician, Infectious Disease Specialist, and Emergency care physician. | Fever can be treated by any specialist department, but often medicine specialists are most preferable. |
| Causes | The Flu or Influenza virus may cause because of the inhale of the germs as the droplets in the air, or by coming in contact with the person infected with Flu, etc. | The causes of fever might include factors such as infection, cancer, heat exhaustion, side effects of some specific medications, etc. |
| Symptoms | Flu is associated with the symptoms such as fever, aching muscles, headaches, shortness of breath, tiredness or weakness, eye pain, etc. | The Fever is associated with symptoms such as a gradual increase in body temperature, shivering, body aches, and headaches, sweating, etc. |
| Ways of spreading | Flu can spread by someone’s coughing or sneezing, some infected objects, by the touch of skin, saliva, etc. | Viral fever can spread through the infected air if the other person is near. |
| Treatments | The Flu treatment includes various medications to calm the virus, self-care, etc. | The Fever includes treatments such as proper self-care, medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. |
| Complications and Side-Effects | Flu can cause complications such as asthma, heart disease, ear infection, bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, etc. | The Fever can cause complications such as seizures, dehydration, cerebral edema, electrolyte disturbance, etc. |
What is Flu?
Flu is a contagious infection that is caused by the Influenza virus, that is why Flu is also known as Influenza. It can be transmitted to anyone, easily by the contact of two persons through the air droplets, physical touch, infected objects such as blankets, clothes, etc. Flu generally decreases the ability of the immune system to fight back against the infection. It is mainly divided into two forms, which include Respiratory Flu and Stomach Flu. The Respiratory Flu attacks the individual’s respiratory system that includes the nose, throat, or lungs, etc. And on the other hand, Stomach Flu attacks the stomach and it created organs, it causes diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
Flu requires a specific specialist to cure. The specialist department that treats Flu is Primary Care Physician, Pediatrician, Infectious Disease Specialist, and Emergency care physician. It is not a common minor infection, and therefore it only requires a specialist. Flu is associated with the symptoms such as fever, aching muscles, headaches, shortness of breath, tiredness or weakness, eye pain, etc. It requires immediate and good care as it can cause some severe kinds of complications or even the infected person can die if his/her immune system can not fight back.
The Flu treatment includes various medications to calm the virus, self-care, etc. Its complications include adverse effects such as asthma, heart disease, ear infection, bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, etc. This complication can stay till lifetime, hence proper treatment and care should be provided in the initial stage itself.
What is Fever?
Fever is simply the rise of the normal body temperature of an individual. The normal temperature is always between 98.6 to 99. Fever can be both contagious and non-contagious depending upon its causes and symptoms. Commonly viral fever is contagious and harmful, whereas infectious fever is non-contagious and not harmful for others. If the fever lasts from 2-3 days then it falls under the normal fever that is not dangerous, but if the fever lasts for more than 7 days or so the infected person should immediately seek help from the doctor. Fever can be divided into various types depending upon its symptoms, and they are intermittent fever, sudden high fever, continuous fever, remittent fever, and Rheumatic fever.
Fever can be treated by any specialist department, but often medicine specialists are most preferable. But, if the fever is caused due to some specific infection then only the particular specialist can be looked up to. The Fever is associated with symptoms such as a gradual increase in body temperature, shivering, body aches, and headaches, sweating, etc.
Generally, Fever only requires self-care and some specific medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, etc. But, if the fever is caused due to some other reasons then the specific medications will be given to calm the infection or in some cases, surgery has to be done to the infection area. Sometimes, it also includes complications such as seizures, dehydration, cerebral edema, electrolyte disturbance, etc.
Main Differences Between Flu and Fever
- Flu is an infection that commonly weakens the respiratory system like the nose, throat, and lungs in an individual’s body. On the other hand, Fever refers to the increase in body temperature.
- Flu is of two types and they are respiratory flu and stomach flu. On the other hand, Fever can be divided into various types depending upon its symptoms, and they are intermittent fever, sudden high fever, continuous fever, remittent fever, and Rheumatic fever.
- The specialist department that treats Flu is Primary Care Physician, Pediatrician, Infectious Disease Specialist, and Emergency care physician. On the other hand, Fever can be treated by any specialist department, but often medicine specialists are most preferable.
- The Flu or Influenza virus may cause because of the inhale of the germs as the droplets in the air, or by coming in contact with the person infected with Flu, etc. On the other hand, The causes of fever might include factors such as infection, cancer, heat exhaustion, side effects of some specific medications, etc.
- Flu is associated with the symptoms such as fever, aching muscles, headaches, shortness of breath, tiredness or weakness, eye pain, etc. On the other, The Fever is associated with symptoms such as a gradual increase in body temperature, shivering, body aches, and headaches, sweating, etc.
- Flu can spread by someone’s coughing or sneezing, some infected objects, by the touch of skin, saliva, etc. On the other hand, Viral fever can spread through the infected air if the other person is near.
- The Flu treatment includes various medications to calm the virus, self-care, etc. On the other hand, The Fever includes treatments such as proper self-care, medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Flu can cause complications such as asthma, heart disease, ear infection, bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, etc. On the other hand, The Fever can cause complications such as seizures, dehydration, cerebral edema, electrolyte disturbance, etc.
Conclusion
Flu and Fever are two types of viruses, where the Flu is caused by the Influenza virus and on the other side, Fever is caused by various viruses depending upon the individual’s symptoms. Fever is generally caused by the various factors of infection in our body. The meanings, treatments, types, causes, symptoms, etc are all distinct from each other. Flu is a particular infection that is caused by the virus but, fever is the factor of various infections including Flu. Having a good immune system is a must to avoid the worst levels of both infections. From the above-mentioned points, we can also conclude that sometimes Flu can be deadly as well, depending upon the individual’s immune system or resistance.
References
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bdra.20342
- https://academic.oup.com/aje/article-abstract/140/3/244/99693