Time article accurately describes distinguishing features between influenza infection and infection by other respiratory viruses

Reviewed content

Headline: "Here's How to Tell if You Have a Cold or the Flu"

Published in Time, by Markham Heid, on 2018-11-28.

1.5 scientific credibility

See our method of evaluation

SUMMARY

This article by Time discusses the main culprits behind viral respiratory infections (VRIs), ways to distinguish between infections caused by the influenza virus and those caused by other viruses, and how to prevent or treat VRIs.

Reviewers found that the article was accurate and useful in reporting the distinguishing features between an influenza infection and other VRIs (often referred to as “flu” and the “common cold”, respectively), such as onset, duration and types of symptoms, as well as the time of year in which symptoms manifest. They also found that the article provided accurate figures of annual influenza mortality and how to prevent and treat these infections (for instance, by getting the flu shot to reduce risk of infection, or taking antiviral drugs in a timely manner to treat the infection). However, they pointed out the article’s assertion that other respiratory viruses do not result in “lasting harm” as untrue, since some viruses are known to cause life-threatening illness in certain segments of the population, such as young children and the elderly.

You can read the Time article here.

REVIEWERS’ OVERALL FEEDBACK

Simon Drysdale

Consultant and Senior Lecturer (Paediatric Infectious Diseases), St George's, University of London

Generally accurate. However, the main issue is that influenza viruses can also cause a “cold”, i.e. upper respiratory tract infection. A “cold” is a symptom/diagnosis whereas “influenza” is a virus that can cause symptoms such as a cold. There could be a better distinction by saying there are lots of viruses (flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), rhinovirus, coronavirus, etc.) that cause respiratory infections including “colds” and “chest infections”. Some of those influenza viruses can cause a more severe disease than others, although all of the viruses can result in severe disease or death – this varies a bit by population. For example, RSV is much more of a problem than flu in young infants.

Joshua G. Petrie

Research Investigator, University of Michigan School of Public Health

The conclusions of the article are generally accurate and helpful. More links to primary sources for more information (e.g. from the Centers for Disease Control) would be better. The article’s statement on annual influenza mortality (“Influenza kills about 35,000 Americans per year, whereas colds rarely cause lasting harm,”) is in range with CDC estimates. However, it is inaccurate to say that other viruses do not result in deaths. For example, RSV can cause severe illness in very young children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions.

Harri Hemilä

Senior Researcher (Department of Public Health), University of Helsinki

Given the space available, and the level of understanding by the average reader, I think this is a good article.

Christopher Labos

Cardiologist, Independent Expert

A fairly accurate article. Maybe a few quibbles about some points, but overall it explains things well and provides some insight in how to differentiate a cold from the flu.

Notes: 
[1] See the rating guidelines used for article evaluations. 
[2] Each evaluation is independent. Scientists’ comments are all published at the same time.

The statements quoted below are from the article; comments are from the reviewers (and are lightly edited for clarity).

“You could take aspirin or acetaminophen for a fever, or decongestants for your runny nose. Zinc lozenges may also help curtail your cold, research has found.“

Harri Hemilä

Senior Researcher (Department of Public Health), University of Helsinki

That is correct. There is evidence that zinc lozenges help with colds (I have published several analyses), but there is also a problem that proper zinc lozenges are not widely available. However, we may hope that such lozenges will improve when patients learn more about them.