Cold or Flu? - Massey High School

With so many colds and flu-like illnesses circulating at the moment, it’s a good time to remind our school community about how to look after themselves and help reduce the spread of illness.

Cold or flu – what’s the difference?

Colds and influenza (the flu) can have similar symptoms, but they are not quite the same.

A cold will often develop gradually and may include:

Runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
Sore throat
Cough
Mild tiredness
Sometimes a mild fever

The flu often comes on more suddenly and can make you feel much more unwell. Symptoms may include:

Fever or chills
Headache
Muscle or body aches
Significant tiredness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Sometimes a runny or blocked nose

It is important to remember that symptoms can overlap, and you cannot always tell whether someone has a cold or flu based on symptoms alone.

Looking after yourself

If you are feeling unwell, give your body time to recover. Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids and eating when you can, are simple ways to support your recovery.

Help protect those around you by:

Staying home when you are unwell and returning to school when you are well enough to participate normally.
Washing your hands regularly with soap and water.
Covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, then disposing of tissues and washing your hands.
Avoiding close contact with others when you are sick.
Getting plenty of sleep and keeping up healthy everyday habits.

If symptoms are severe, getting worse, or you are concerned about your health, seek medical advice.

Illness can spread quickly in a busy school environment. By taking care of ourselves, staying home when we are unwell and practising good hygiene, we can all play a part in reducing the spread of colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses.