How to tell if you have a cold or the flu PLUS a Giveaway from Shoppers Drug Mart

Posted on by

I woke up this week with a cold. A rotten, miserable, no-good, ridiculous cold that I have absolutely NO TIME FOR!!! 

But, I’m thankful it’s not the flu. 

What’s the difference between a Cold and the Flu?

Well, for starters, I don’t have a fever or chills, my body isn’t aching (which is a sure sign for me when it’s more than a cold), and I’m basically able to move around and function fairly reasonably except for this…AHHHCHOOOO…stuffed up nose that I’m blowing on a continual basis. 

That…and I also have a little bit of a headache, “scratchy ears” and a wee sore throat. 

BUT, if it was the Flu…I’d likely be knocked off my feet and bedridden along with the above symptoms (but worse) and also possibly fever, chills, body aches and the most intense feeling of being miserably unwell and horribly exhausted making my asthma and regular sinus issues feel SO MUCH WORSE.

According to Health Canada: “The flu and a cold can have similar symptoms. The difference is how intense they feel and how common they are. In general, symptoms of the flu appear quickly, while symptoms of a cold happen slowly.”

The real difference is the complications that can result from each. For a cold…complications can include lung, throat, ear and sinus Infections. From the flu…complications can include pneumonia, pre-existing health conditions getting worse (such as asthma), hospitalization and death. 

I’m working…and blowing my nose…and working…and trying to stop my dog from stealing all of my perfectly good tissues as he runs through the house and rips them up into tiny shreds…and working and blowing my nose some more. 

I’m not really interested in heading out in public with my red-runny nose and pockets full of tissues, but it’s a cold, so I’m drinking plenty of fluids and popping some cold meds to make me feel a little better. 

I’m able to work (thankfully I work from home) and I’m still able to chase my dog and do the regular things I typically do in the run of the day (albeit a wee bit slower). But if it were the flu, I’d be hard-pressed to chase the dog for my tissues let alone drag my achy miserable self out of bed!

Just as soon as this cold goes away, I’m heading to Shoppers Drug Mart to get my annual Flu Shot as I really do dislike not feeling well and I’m well aware that the best defence against the flu is a quick poke in the arm.

It’s cold and flu season RIGHT NOW! Load up your cupboards with everything you need to help you feel better and GO GET YOUR FLU SHOT! 

GIVEAWAY FROM SHOPPERS DRUG MART:

To help take care of your family this cold and flu season, Shoppers Drug Mart and Curtains are Open are hosting a giveaway…a chance to win a Cold & Flu Prize Pack including a ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR gift card! The prize package includes:

  • Life Brand Hand Sanitizer
  • Cough Drops
  • Electrolyte Maintenance Powder
  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Digital Thermometer
  • PC Chicken Noodle Soup
  • PC Lemon Ginger Tea
  • PC Stainless Steel Insulated Hot or Cold Water Bottle
  • Home Collection Mug
  • Facial Tissues
  • $100 SDM Gift Card

To enter, fill out the form below and leave a comment on the blog post! You can tweet once per day for more chances to win! Good Luck!

 

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart. As always, opinions are my own.

105 Replies to “How to tell if you have a cold or the flu PLUS a Giveaway from Shoppers Drug Mart”

  7. Feel better! I like watching netflix when I’m sick, unless I’m feeling pukey and I’d rather sleep!

  8. I faithfully get my flu shot! As the mom and caregiver of my family, I can’t afford a lengthy illness, nor do I want to to be the person who makes someone else sick. Clean your light switches and door knobs regularly!

  9. Feel better soon Colleen! I love to snuggle up with my baby aka my beagle dog who loves to cuddle.

  12. crawl in bed with PJs and socks on, a good book to read, with my companion cat to keep me company

  15. Things that make me feel better are a hot soothing tea and curl up under a blanket and listen to an audio book.

  19. Soup, toast, and popsicles are must haves. Some mindless tv shows and a good book for in between naps.

  20. I drink endless cups of tea, and sit in a recliner chair with a cat on my lap, and TSC on the telly when I’m feeling poorly.

  23. Having warm feet makes me feel better. Just staying warm and cozy.

  25. Being with my family & pets who are family also. Watching tv or reading a book.Taking a hot bath

  27. i have tonnes of baths, especially in the winter and ESPECIALLY when im sick. i never thought much of why.. i think its the combination of the steam and the warmth/comfort.

  39. Pillows! I need my pillows 🙂 Plus a cozy blanket, Netflix, an electrolyte drink, vitamin C, & a hot mug of vegetable broth!

  40. I am getting over a cold right now so I couldn’t go for a flu shot. Hot liquids like tea, hot chocolate & chicken soup help me breathe. For a scratchy raw throat holding some honey in my throat will soothe it.

  42. Chicken noodle soup. I don’t know why but it always seems to make me feel just a little bit better!

  44. Some things that make you feel better when In am really not up to doing much of anything are sleep, a warm blanket, a vaporizer,some tea and soup, flu tablets for cold and flu, and a box of Kleenexes. I also make sure I get the flu shot every fall because it hurts to have the flu and cold. #FluCrew

  49. Curling up on the couch,watching a Christmas movie, with a cup of hot chocolate of coffee!

  55. A delicious bowl of soup…either chicken noodle or tomato and lots of water and laying on the couch in my comfies

  56. I just finished making soup in the instapot and it’s now in the freezer just in case we get some sort of sickness and soup will be ready, but I usually try to get downstairs set up the crockpot for soup and make a thermos of tea and i stretch out on the couch with a blanket and tv. Make sure i’m drinking water. Do as little as possible. Everything can wait.

  58. I have my throw backs – gingerale, vicks vapour rub, poached eggs on toast, a heating pad, soft blanket, and the price is right lol

  60. My fluffy down comforter, something fun to binge watch and soup I don’t have to make myself always make me feel better.

  61. I love to just stay curled up in bed under the covers and a good hot bowl of chicken soup!!

  62. Chicken noodle soup, warm socks, hot chocolate/tea, steaming myself, a hot bath with Epsom salts

  63. Love to take a hot bath with some epsom salts to relieve aches and pains. Then a nice bowl of hot hot soup seems to do the trick too, then under the comforters for some rest.

    Thanks for the fab giveaway

  64. Curling up with a good book is one thing I like to do when I don’t feel well. Netflix is good too. 🙂

  67. A hot cup of good tea with lemon and honey always makes me feel better. Napping through a TV marathon is good as well.

  72. I love diffusing essential oils especially when I’m not feeling well or need a pick-me-up. My go-tos are eucalyptus, lemongrass, and peppermint. I also like sipping on honey lemon ginger tea!

  77. Here are the top 3 things that make me feel better:
    1) lemon, ginger tea
    2) my favourite blanket
    3) homemade chicken soup!

    thank you for the chance! 🙂

  79. A relaxing bath and a cup of warm lemon ginger tea helps me feel comfortable when I am under the weather.

  81. I love really hot baths in the winter time and when i’m sick, i find them relaxing and then i go right to bed. I also love my electric blanket!

  83. I love to throw a big pot of soup on and douse myself in Vicks when I’m not well. It always gets me up and moving.

  89. Go outside for a short walk to get some fresh air, a cup of hot chocolate or a bowl of chicken noodles soup can make me feel better!

  90. Relaxing on the couch with a warm, snuggly blanket, a cup of tea and a great book always makes me feel better.

  93. I like fresh, comfy PJs, a cup of hot tea and my bed …. and maybe some easy-to-watch shows or sleep depending on how sick I am. Hope you’re feeling better!

  99. I just like snuggling up on the couch with some tea and honey and a nice warm blanket and my pillow. Then I would let Netflix put me to sleep lol.

  100. I just enjoy snuggling up on the couch with my blankets, cats, Netflix and box of tissues lol

  103. Got to have my netflix and Prime Video ready when I need a pick me upper when I am sick.. Lots of Vitamin C too.