CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html>   <html>  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html","20170204033715","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1486179435"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>Is it a cold or flu? | The Independent</title> <link rel="manifest" href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/manifest.json"> <link rel="preload" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/font/Fira-Sans-Extrabold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/font/Fira-Sans-Bold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin>   <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <meta name="article:subsection" content=""/> <meta name="article:author_name" content="AXA PPP Healthcare"/> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"/> <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=499587380, affiliate-data=1l3v95Z"/> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://static.standard.co.uk/"/> <meta name="article:internal_link_count" content="0"/> <meta name="article:embed_count" content="0"/> <meta name="article:content_type" content="story"/> <link href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html?amp" rel="amphtml"/> <meta name="article:word_count" content="682"/> <meta name="article:image_count" content="1"/> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://static.independent.co.uk/"/> <meta name="article:video_count" content="0"/> <meta property="article:section" content="Health Insurance"/> <meta name="article:external_link_count" content="6"/> <meta name="description" content="The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers."/> <meta name="keywords" content="Health, Healthcare, Cold, Flu, Health Insurance, Health Insurance, Money"/> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html"/> <meta property="fb:admins" content="729735830"/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="235586169789578"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="The Independent"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Is it a cold or flu?"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers."/> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2016-12-09T10:43:16+00:00"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/11/03/11/Cold and Flu.jpg"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@independent"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Is it a cold or flu?"/> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers."/> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_GB"/> <meta property="article:tag" content="Health"/> <meta property="article:tag" content="Healthcare"/> <meta property="article:tag" content="Cold"/> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-11-03T10:00:09+00:00"/> <meta property="article:tag" content="Flu"/> <meta property="article:tag" content="Health Insurance"/> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2016-12-09T10:43:16+00:00"/> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/favicon.ico" type="image/ico"/> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="58C7FB6B9237322BB527AA3C68656AE3"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-60x60.png"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-72x72.png" sizes="72x72"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-76x76.png" sizes="76x76"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-114x114.png" sizes="114x114"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-120x120.png" sizes="120x120"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-144x144.png" sizes="144x144"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-152x152.png" sizes="152x152"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/apple-icon-180x180.png" sizes="180x180"/> <link rel="android-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/android-icon-36x36.png" sizes="36x36"/> <link rel="android-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/android-icon-48x48.png" sizes="48x48"/> <link rel="android-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/android-icon-72x72.png" sizes="72x72"/> <link rel="android-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/android-icon-96x96.png" sizes="96x96"/> <link rel="android-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/android-icon-114x114.png" sizes="114x114"/> <link rel="android-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/android-icon-192x192.png" sizes="192x192"/> <link rel="ms-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/ms-icon-70x70.png" sizes="70x70"/> <link rel="ms-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/ms-icon-144x144.png" sizes="144x144"/> <link rel="ms-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/ms-icon-150x150.png" sizes="150x150"/> <link rel="ms-icon" href="/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/ms-icon-310x310.png" sizes="310x310"/>  <script>var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime(); ; var _sf_async_config = _sf_async_config || {}; /** CONFIGURATION START **/ _sf_async_config.uid = 62356; _sf_async_config.domain = 'independent.co.uk'; _sf_async_config.useCanonical = true; _sf_async_config.flickerControl = false; _sf_async_config.sections = 'money,health-insurance,mediatype_image,topic-health,topic-healthcare,topic-cold,topic-flu,topic-health-insurance,non-gallery'; _sf_async_config.authors = 'AXA PPP Healthcare'; _sf_async_config.type = 'Tuesday, 3 November 2015'; _sf_async_config.title = 'Is it a cold or flu?'; /** CONFIGURATION END **/ var _sf_startpt = (new Date()).getTime(); ; var topicTags = ["health","healthcare","cold","flu","healthinsurance"]; ; var gptPath = "-in_money-in_health_insurance-in_health_insurance_article"; ; var s_account = "indepdev"; ; </script>   <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715cs_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/advagg_css/css__8hNSjhZ5ePShkLRtI7ArCXODkeETokErBoR_jivVdhs__2x6IuXN3JtMs8DUoqByjAfuGUfEq7wesad2j8kgN4B4__nIiVjJe2t6RsbhJzeG7Zg17lZVY3pRfGR7YAyk0iJkk.css" media="all"/>  <script type="text/javascript"> var articleId = '6719076'; var pageType = 'image'; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/libraries/modernizr/modernizr-custom.js?okgqwd"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://code.jquery.com/jquery-2.1.4.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/advagg_js/js__H5AFmq1RrXKsrazzPq_xPQPy4K0wUKqecPjczzRiTgQ__p930YZ_ODW6ZjDLOJmxJnRL7juGStYuszD6uNS8_FFo__nIiVjJe2t6RsbhJzeG7Zg17lZVY3pRfGR7YAyk0iJkk.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/advagg_js/js__ENFnOlJ5RPaCTJU-yER8vkEnzEmJhP6DhrKDoZ3fPg0__9rE9OpmACI9HNKTOyroeCh0kz0gmET1Q4I7TixRCXh4__nIiVjJe2t6RsbhJzeG7Zg17lZVY3pRfGR7YAyk0iJkk.js" defer="defer"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/advagg_js/js__GM3GJPR36rRIz0TRkjC5OQwrioSyN9aoYRivDhCO_AM__qAl84FcCv2jyN22yFGS5Oc85cjd9zKX6p_cFNLGhe-M__nIiVjJe2t6RsbhJzeG7Zg17lZVY3pRfGR7YAyk0iJkk.js" defer="defer" async="async"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://www.independent.co.uk/profiles/ines/modules/ines_js/js/ines_helper.min.js?okgqwd"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/advagg_js/js__283oQk6W0P22jmWklzoedRMC296r-3oWsoactRsEfzk__zY5yoAT4L4cjAzUB9thIbo_0oo0QWJdzU5l02P38jAw__nIiVjJe2t6RsbhJzeG7Zg17lZVY3pRfGR7YAyk0iJkk.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/advagg_js/js__oJHPY5pjOac71AvF6u3aubMRPVTo1_akKM29H4osBgw__L92evcsGUGqo9GmFyN_JwdlPb00fjTxBWqO3OLdfgy0__nIiVjJe2t6RsbhJzeG7Zg17lZVY3pRfGR7YAyk0iJkk.js" defer="defer"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> <![CDATA[//><!]]> </script>  </head> <body class="not-front article article-6719076 article-image source-a6719076">   <header id="masthead"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/" title="Home"> <span class="logo"></span> </a> <ul id="dynamic-header"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/" title="Home"> <li class="logotype active"> <span class="logo-full"></span> </li> </a> <li class="share"> <div id="gigya-share-btns-3"></div> </li> </ul> <nav> <ol><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/us" title="">News</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/us-election-2016" title="">Election 2016</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas" title="">Americas</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk" title="">UK</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world" title="">World</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe" title="">Europe</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business" title="">Business</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices" title="">Voices</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment" title="">Comment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/robert-fisk" title="">Robert Fisk</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/robert-fisk" title="">Mark Steel</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/grace-dent" title="">Grace Dent</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/holly-baxter" title="">Holly Baxter</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/campaigns" title="">Campaigns</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials" title="">Editorials</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters" title="">Letters</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport" title="">Sports</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport" title="">US sports</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football" title="">Soccer</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis" title="">Tennis</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boxing" title="">Boxing</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing" title="">Formula 1</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling" title="">WWE</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment" title="">Culture</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films" title="">Film</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv" title="">TV</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music" title="">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books" title="">Books</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style" title="">Lifestyle</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion" title="">Fashion</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink" title="">Food + drink</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel" title="">Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families" title="">Health + families</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex" title="">Love + sex</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech" title="">Tech</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming" title="">Gaming</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features" title="">Tech culture</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news" title="">Tech news</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections" title="">US election</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/marketing/apps" title="">Daily Edition</a><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independentsubscriptions.co.uk/" title="">Subscribe for a free trial</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://edition.independent.co.uk/" title="">Read Now</a></li> </ul></li> </ol> </nav> <ol id="meta-nav"> <li class="search"> <a href="#" class="icon-search dropdown-toggle" title="Search"></a> <form class="search-form search search" action="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html" method="post" id="search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="container-inline search-container search-container form-wrapper" id="edit-basic"><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-keys"> <label for="edit-keys"> </label> <input placeholder="Search" autofocus="1" type="text" id="edit-keys" name="keys" value="" size="20" maxlength="255" class="form-text"/> </div> <input type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Search" class="form-submit"/><input type="hidden" name="get" value="[]"/> </div><input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-zDGhRpTh4zEpLnyEC2JEOQKrrK42UHNG6a8EXnCSKOc"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="apachesolr_search_custom_page_search_form"/> </div></form> </li> <li class="edition"> <a href="javascript:void(0)" class="icon-us dropdown-toggle" title="Edition"></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <a href="javascript:void(0)" data-edition="UK">UK Edition </a> </li> <li> <a href="javascript:void(0)" data-edition="US">US Edition <span class="icon-check"></span></a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="account"> <a href="#" class="icon-user dropdown-toggle" title="Account"></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/login">Sign in</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/register">Register</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://subscriptions.independent.co.uk/" title="">Subscriptions</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="toggle-menu"> <a href="#" class="icon-menu" title="Toggle menu"></a> </li> </ol> <div id="menu"> <form class="search-form search search" action="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html" method="post" id="search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="container-inline search-container search-container form-wrapper" id="edit-basic"><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-keys"> <label for="edit-keys"> </label> <input placeholder="Search" autofocus="1" type="text" id="edit-keys" name="keys" value="" size="20" maxlength="255" class="form-text"/> </div> <input type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Search" class="form-submit"/><input type="hidden" name="get" value="[]"/> </div><input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-zDGhRpTh4zEpLnyEC2JEOQKrrK42UHNG6a8EXnCSKOc"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="apachesolr_search_custom_page_search_form"/> </div></form> <ul class="topics"><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/us" title="">News</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/us-election-2016" title="">Election 2016</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world" title="">World</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas" title="">US</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk" title="">UK</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe" title="">Europe</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people" title="">People</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science" title="">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news" title="">Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business" title="">Business</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices" title="">Voices</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment" title="">Comment</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/robert-fisk" title="">Robert Fisk</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/mark-steel" title="">Mark Steel</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/grace-dent" title="">Grace Dent</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/holly-baxter" title="">Holly Baxter</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/campaigns" title="">Campaigns</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials" title="">Editorials</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters/letters-9626866.html" title="">Letters</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport" title="">Sports</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport" title="">US sports</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football" title="">Soccer</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket" title="">Cricket</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis" title="">Tennis</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boxing" title="">Boxing</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing" title="">Formula 1</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment" title="">Culture</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books" title="">Books</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films" title="">Film</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv" title="">TV</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music" title="">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art" title="">Art</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance" title="">Theatre & Dance</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy" title="">Comedy</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style" title="">Lifestyle</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink" title="">Food & drink</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families" title="">Health & families</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex" title="">Love & sex</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring" title="">Motoring</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/student" title="">Student</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel" title="">Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion" title="">Fashion</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech" title="">Tech</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming" title="">Gaming</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features" title="">Tech culture</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news" title="">Tech news</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/video" title="">Video</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/video/Explainers" title="">Explainer videos</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/video/News" title="">News videos</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/video/People-and-culture" title="">People & culture videos</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/video/Sport" title="">Sport videos</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest" title="">IndyBest</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/fashion-beauty" title="">Fashion & Beauty</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden" title="">Homes & Design</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink" title="">Food & Drink</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech" title="">Gadgets & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity" title="">Outdoor & Activity</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/arts-books" title="">Arts & Books</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/travel" title="">Travel</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money" title="">Money</a><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance?icn=axa_nav" title="">Health insurance</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/investments/" title="">Investments</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras" title="">Extras</a><ul><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/independentbooks" title="">The Independent Books</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://puzzles.independent.co.uk/" title="">Puzzles</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.indy100.com/" title="">indy100</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/marketing/apps" title="">Apps</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/ebooks" title="">Ebooks</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://ijobs.independent.co.uk/" title="">iJobs</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://dating.independent.co.uk/" title="">Dating</a></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul class="follow"> <li>Follow us:</li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline" target="_blank" title="Facebook" class="icon-facebook"></a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://twitter.com/independent" target="_blank" title="Twitter" class="icon-twitter"></a> </li> </ul> </div> </header> <div id="content"> <div class="region region-header"> <div class="ad-leaderboard"> <div id="leaderboard" style="margin: 0 auto 40px;"></div> </div> </div> <div id="cookie-warning"> <a href="#" class="close icon-close" title="OK"></a> <p>We use cookies to enhance your visit to our site and to bring you advertisements that might interest you. Read our <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html">Privacy</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html">Cookie</a> Policies to find out more.</p> </div> <div class="tabs"></div> <div class="region region-content"> <article class="full-article" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle"> <meta itemprop="mainEntityOfPage" content="http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html"> <div itemprop="publisher" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization"> <meta itemprop="name" content="The Independent"> <link itemprop="sameAs" href="http://www.independent.co.uk"> <link itemprop="logo" href="https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/brand-logo.png"> </div> <header> <div class="banner-image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413&utm_campaign=independent&utm_source=indy-website&utm_medium=iframe&utm_content=why-axa"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/AXA-header.png" title="" alt=""> </a> </div> <ol vocab="http://schema.org/" typeof="BreadcrumbList" class="breadcrumbs clearfix"><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a property="item" typeof="WebPage" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money"><span property="name">Money</span></a></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a property="item" typeof="WebPage" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance"><span property="name">Health Insurance</span></a></li></ol> <h1 itemprop="headline" class=" ">Is it a cold or flu?</h1> <div class="commercial-badge"> <span class="commercial-badge-term"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/commercial/about-commercial-content-a7108746.html" target="_blank" ref="nofollow">Advertisement feature</a></span> </div> <div class="intro"> <p><strong>One-third of Britons think flu is just a bad cold, but each year many people have serious health complications following flu. Find out how colds and flu differ.</strong></p> </div> <ul class="caption meta inline-pipes-list"> <li class="author" itemprop="author" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"> <span itemprop="name"><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/axa-ppp-healthcare" title="AXA PPP Healthcare" itemprop="sameAs">AXA PPP Healthcare</a></span> </li> <li title="19 October 2015 08:30 London"><time data-microtimes="{"published":"1446543000000","display":"1445239800000","changed":"1481280196000"}" datetime="08:30, 19 October 2015">Monday 19 October 2015 08:30 BST</time></li> </ul> <div id="gigya-share-btns-1"></div> </header>  <figure itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" class="featured-media medium-width"> <meta itemprop="representativeOfPage" content="true"> <meta itemprop="url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/11/03/11/Cold and Flu.jpg"> <meta itemprop="width" content="507"> <meta itemprop="height" content="338"> <picture title="AXA.PPP.Cold&Flu.jpg">  <source srcset="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/Flu.jpg 1x" media="(min-width: 620px) and (max-width: 929px)"/> <source srcset="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/Flu.jpg 1x" media="(min-width: 930px) and (max-width: 1239px)"/> <source srcset="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/Flu.jpg 1x" media="(min-width: 1240px)"/>  <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/article_small/public/thumbnails/image/2015/11/03/11/Cold and Flu.jpg" alt="AXA.PPP.Cold&Flu.jpg" title="AXA.PPP.Cold&Flu.jpg"/> </picture> </figure> <div class="article-wrapper clearfix"> <div class="main-content-column"> <div class="text-wrapper" itemprop="articleBody"> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413&utm_campaign=independent&utm_source=indy-website&utm_medium=iframe&utm_content=what-is-stress" rel="nofollow" title="Click for quote">The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers.</a></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;">Click here for more information, PLUS get a FREE £50 M&S Voucher when you take out a plan*.</strong></a></p> <p>Colds and flu share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat), but are caused by different viruses. Flu can be much more serious than a cold.</p> <p>If you're generally fit and healthy, you can usually manage the symptoms of a cold or flu yourself without seeing a doctor. Look after yourself by resting, drinking non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration and avoiding strenuous activity. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can relieve aches and pains.</p> <p>People more at risk</p> <p>Some people need to take extra care as they're more at risk of serious chest complications, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. People over 65 are more at risk of complications. People under 65, including children, are more at risk of complications if they have:</p> <ul><li>serious heart or chest complaints, including asthma</li> <li>serious kidney disease or liver disease</li> <li>diabetes</li> <li>lowered immunity due to disease or medical treatment</li> <li>had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)</li> </ul><p>Everyone in an at-risk group is eligible for a free flu vaccination. This is the best protection against the virus.</p> <p> </p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413&utm_campaign=independent&utm_source=indy-website&utm_medium=iframe&utm_content=what-is-stress" rel="nofollow" title="Click for quote">The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers.</a></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;">Click here for more information, PLUS get a FREE £50 M&S Voucher when you take out a plan*.</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Symptoms</strong></p> <p>There are around 200 viruses that cause colds and three that cause flu. There are many strains of these flu viruses, and the vaccine changes every year to protect against the most common ones.</p> <p><strong>Colds</strong></p> <p>Symptoms of a cold include:</p> <ul><li>runny nose, beginning with clear mucus that develops into thicker, green mucus as the cold progresses</li> <li>blocked nose</li> <li>sore throat</li> <li>sneezing</li> <li>cough</li> </ul><p>People with a cold may also suffer with a mild fever, earache, tiredness and headache. Symptoms develop over one or two days and gradually get better after a few days. Some colds can last for up to two weeks.</p> <p><strong>Flu</strong></p> <p>Flu usually comes on much more quickly than a cold, and symptoms include:</p> <ul><li>sudden fever of 38-40°C (100-104°F)</li> <li>muscle aches and pains</li> <li>sweating</li> <li>feeling exhausted and needing to lie down</li> <li>dry, chesty cough</li> <li>sneezing</li> </ul><p> </p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413&utm_campaign=independent&utm_source=indy-website&utm_medium=iframe&utm_content=what-is-stress" rel="nofollow" title="Click for quote">The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers.</a></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;">Click here for more information, PLUS get a FREE £50 M&S Voucher when you take out a plan*.</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Flu symptoms appear one to three days after infection and most people recover within a week, although you may feel tired for longer. A severe cold can also cause muscle aches and fever, so it can be hard to tell the difference.</p> <p>Whether it’s a cold or flu, you should get medical help if:</p> <p>you have a chronic condition (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), or</p> <p>you have a very high fever as well as an unusually severe headache or abdominal or chest pain</p> <p>Stop the viruses spreading</p> <p>Cold and flu viruses are spread by droplets that are sneezed or coughed out by an infected person. Other people can breathe in these droplets or transfer the droplets to their eyes or nose on their fingers.</p> <p>Protect yourself and others against colds and flu by:</p> <ul><li>coughing or sneezing into a tissue</li> <li>throwing a used tissue away as soon as possible</li> <li>washing your hands as soon as possible</li> <li>having a flu jab every year if you're in an at-risk group</li> </ul><p><strong>Health Insurance Quote</strong></p> <p>The Independent has teamed up with AXA PPP healthcare to help people stay healthy. AXA PPP healthcare can help offer hints and tips on how to prevent illness.</p> <p>The Personal Health plan from AXA PPP healthcare is the next generation of private healthcare insurance. Members of AXA PPP healthcare can benefit from extensive heart and cancer cover and care*, flexible appointment times with access to over 250 hospitals and 24,000 specialists, 24-hour telephone access to health information service, Health at Hand, to answer any questions you may have, any time.</p> <p>*Subject to medical history and level of cover chosen. </p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Indy Serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(40, 30, 30);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413&utm_campaign=independent&utm_source=indy-website&utm_medium=iframe&utm_content=what-is-stress" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(236, 26, 46); background: 0px 0px;" title="Click for quote">The Independent is working with AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health insurance to Independent customers.</a></span></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Indy Serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(40, 30, 30);"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413" target="_blank"><strong>Click here for more information, PLUS, get a FREE </strong><strong>£50 M&S Voucher when you take out a plan*.</strong></a></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Indy Serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(40, 30, 30);"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413&utm_campaign=independent&utm_source=indy-website&utm_medium=iframe&utm_content=footer-quote"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_medium/public/thumbnails/image/2015/09/21/17/health-signup-GETQUOTE.png"/></a></p> <div> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Indy Serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(40, 30, 30);"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/the-independent/?ref=HOLindependent&source=iFrame0413" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(236, 26, 46); background: 0px 0px;" target="_blank">For more information on health insurance click here</a> or call <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/tel:01202%20544%20095" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(236, 26, 46); background: 0px 0px;">01202 544 095</a> to find out more about how you can tailor health insurance to suit you and to get a quote.</p> <hr style="box-sizing: content-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-color: gray; height: 0px; color: rgb(40, 30, 30); font-family: 'Fira Sans', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"/> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Indy Serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(40, 30, 30);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: 700;">Terms and conditions</span></p> <p>*The Marks and Spencer voucher offer is for new customers only. The vouchers will be sent to you within 28 days of receiving your first subscription payment if paying annually. Or, if paying monthly, within 28 days of receiving your second month’s subscription. Only one voucher will be issued per household.</p> <p> </p> <p>The above offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, apart from our 5% discount for paying annually. Offers may be withdrawn at any time.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lines are open 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday. AXA PPP healthcare may record and/or monitor calls for quality assurance, training and as a record of the conversation.</p> <p>The Independent is introducing customers to AXA PPP healthcare to provide affordable health cover to our readers.</p> <p>The Independent is an Introducer Appointed Representative of AXA PPP healthcare Limited.</p> </div> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="2016-12-09T10:43:16+00:00"/> <ul class="inline-pipes-list"> <li> More about: </li> <li><a itemprop="keywords" href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/Health">Health</a></li> <li><a itemprop="keywords" href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/Healthcare">Healthcare</a></li> <li><a itemprop="keywords" href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/cold">Cold</a></li> <li><a itemprop="keywords" href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/flu">Flu</a></li> <li><a itemprop="keywords" href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/HealthInsurance">Health Insurance</a></li> </ul> <div id="gigya-share-btns-2"></div> <a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/syndication/reuse-permision-form?url=http://www.independent.co.uk/money/health-insurance/is-it-a-cold-or-flu-a6719076.html" target="_blank" class="syndication-btn"><img src="/web/20170204033715im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/reuse.png" width="25">Reuse content</a> </div> <div class="box-comments"> </div> <div id="most-popular-mobile" class="most-popular-mobile"></div> <div class="partner-slots"> <div class="es-partners-slot parter-slot-1"> <div id="partner1"> </div> </div> <div class="es-partners-slot parter-slot-2"> <div id="partner2"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="box-comments"> </div> </div> <div class="right-hand-column "> <div class="sidebar"> <aside class="layout-component layout-component-mpu"> <div class="ad-mpu mpu-container mpu0-container"><div id="mpu0"></div></div></aside> <aside class="visible"> <div id="onscroll-ad-independent-feb-2016-content"></div> </aside> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <footer id="mastfooter" tynt-data="no-content"> <div class="stamp"></div> <ul class="follow"> <li>Follow us:</li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline" target="_blank" title="Facebook" class="icon-facebook"></a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://twitter.com/independent" target="_blank" title="Twitter" class="icon-twitter"></a> </li> </ul> <ul class="links"><li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html" title="">User Policies</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html" title="">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html" title="">Cookie Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/code-of-conduct-a6184241.html" title="">Code of Conduct</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://independentnews.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new" title="">Complaint Form</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/contact-us-759589.html" title="">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/external-contributors-policy-7905982.html" title="">Contributors</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/topics-list" title="">All Topics</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/archive" title="">Archive</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/register" title="">Newsletters</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://independentjobs.independent.co.uk/" title="">Jobs</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://subscriptions.independent.co.uk/" title="">Subscriptions</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://esimedia.co.uk/" title="">Advertising Guide</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://syndication.independent.co.uk/" title="">Syndication</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.standard.co.uk/" title="">Evening Standard</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://en.novayagazeta.ru/" title="">Novaya Gazeta</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.independent.co.uk/marketing/apps/" title="">Install our Apps</a></li> </ul> </footer> <div id="outofpageslot"> </div> <div id="teadsib"> </div> <div id="znaptag" tynt-data="no-content"> </div> <div id="thirdparty01"> </div> </div>  <script>(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"]=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,"script","//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js","ga");ga("create", "UA-27212627-1", {"cookieDomain":"auto"});ga("set", "anonymizeIp", true);ga("set", "dimension1", "Image");ga("set", "dimension2", "Money");ga("set", "dimension3", "Health Insurance");ga("set", "dimension4", "AXA PPP Healthcare");ga("set", "dimension5", "6719076");ga("send", "pageview"); ; </script>  <div class="region region-page-bottom">  <script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/libraries/sitecatalyst/ind_am_code.js?okgqwd"></script> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <noscript><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/http://independent.122.2o7.net/b/ss/indepdev/1/H.27.5--NS/0?[AQB]&cdp=3&[AQE]/6991450" height="1" width="1" alt=""></noscript>   <div class="adblock-modal adblock" style="display: none;"> <aside class="adblock-notice"> <div class="ctrl"><button class="close" data-action="close">Close</button></div> <h2><span class="logo"></span></h2> <div class="adblock-container main"> <div class="content"> <p><strong>We've noticed that you are using an ad blocker.</strong></p> <p>Advertising helps fund our journalism and keep it truly independent. It helps to build our international editorial team, from war correspondents to investigative reporters, commentators to critics.</p> <div class="content-section"> <p><a data-toggle="instructions" href="javascript:void(0);">Click here to view instructions</a> on how to disable your ad blocker, and help us to keep providing you with free-thinking journalism - for free.</p> <p>Thank you for your support.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="adblock-container instructions"> <p><strong>How to disable your ad blocker for <span class="site-url">independent.co.uk</span></strong></p> <h3 class="ad-block-icon"> Adblock / Adblock Plus</h3> <ul> <li>Click the Adblock/Adblock Plus icon, which is to the right of your address bar.</li> <li>On Adblock click "Don't run on pages on this domain".</li> <li>On Adblock Plus click "Enabled on this site" to disable ad blocking for the current website you are on. If you are in Firefox click "disable on <span class="site-url">independent.co.uk</span>".</li> </ul> <h3 class="firefox-icon">Firefox Tracking Protection</h3> <ul> <li>If you are Private Browsing in Firefox, "Tracking Protection" may cause the adblock notice to show. It can be temporarily disabled by clicking the "shield" icon in the address bar.</li> </ul> <h3 class="ghostery-icon">Ghostery</h3> <ul> <li>Click the Ghostery icon.</li> <li>In versions before 6.0 click "whitelist site".</li> <li>In version 6.0 click "trust site" or add <span class="site-url">independent.co.uk</span> to your Trusted Site list.</li> <li>In versions before 6.0 you will see the message "Site is whitelisted".</li> <li>Click "reload the page to see your changes".</li> </ul> <h3 class="ublock-icon">uBlock</h3> <ul> <li>Click the uBlock icon.</li> <li>Then click the big power button to whitelist the current web site, and its state will be remembered next time you visit the web site.</li> <li>Then reload the page.</li> </ul> </div> </aside> </div> <div class="adblock-modal adblock-confirm" style="display: none;"> <aside class="adblock-notice"> <div class="ctrl"><button class="close" data-action="close">Close</button></div> <h2><span class="logo"></span></h2> <div class="adblock-container main"> <div class="content"> <p>Thank you for supporting <span class="site-url">independent.co.uk</span></p> </div> <button data-action="close">Continue to our site</button> </div> </aside> </div> </div>  <script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.1/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>") ; document.createElement( "picture" ); ; //Add js: jQuery Alias var $ = jQuery; ; //Add js: Hola (function() { var vhola = document.createElement("script"); vhola.async = false; vhola.type = "text/javascript"; vhola.crossOrigin = "Anonymous"; var useSSL = "https:" == document.location.protocol; vhola.src = (useSSL ? "https:" : "http:") + "//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://player.h-cdn.com/loader.js?customer=independent_co_uk"; var node = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(vhola, node); if (!window.videojs) return; function init_hola() { window.hola_cdn.init_independent_co_uk(); } if (window.hola_cdn) init_hola(); else window.hola_cdn_on_load = init_hola; })(); ; //Add js: Temporary Share Bar position tracking jQuery(function checkBars() { if (jQuery('#gigya-share-btns-1 .gig-share-button tr img').length > 0) { addclicks(); } else { setTimeout(checkBars, 3000); }; function addclicks(){ jQuery('#gigya-share-btns-1 .gig-share-button tr img').bind('click', function(e) { var s = s_gi(s_account) sharebarTracker = 'Above Article Share'; s.linkTrackVars = 'prop38'; s.prop38 = sharebarTracker; s.tl(this, 'o', sharebarTracker); s.prop38 = ''; }); jQuery('#gigya-share-btns-2 .gig-share-button tr img').bind('click', function(e) { var s = s_gi(s_account) sharebarTracker = 'Below Article Share'; s.linkTrackVars = 'prop38'; s.prop38 = sharebarTracker; s.tl(this, 'o', sharebarTracker); s.prop38 = ''; }); jQuery('#gigya-share-btns-3 .gig-share-button tr img').bind('click', function(e) { var s = s_gi(s_account) sharebarTracker = 'Header Share'; s.linkTrackVars = 'prop38'; s.prop38 = sharebarTracker; s.tl(this, 'o', sharebarTracker); s.prop38 = ''; }); }; }); ; //Add js: PageFair AdBlock Detection (function() { function async_load(script_url){ var protocol = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://' : 'http://'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.src = protocol + script_url; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); } bm_website_code = '50DD925A1FA64A66'; jQuery(document).ready(function(){async_load('asset.pagefair.com/measure.min.js')}); jQuery(document).ready(function(){async_load('asset.pagefair.net/ads.min.js')}); })(); ; jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, { "themeName": "independent_theme" }); ; jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, { "s_account": "indepdev" }); ; (function($) { $('body').on('AdblockDetected', function() { $('.ad-leaderboard').removeClass('ad-leaderboard').addClass('taboola-leaderboard'); var stickyMe; window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-f-abp', container: 'leaderboard', placement: 'Above Article Thumbnails - ABP', target_type: 'mix' }); }); }) (jQuery); ; /** CONFIGURATION END **/ (function() { function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt = (new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', '//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat_mab.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', '//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat.js'); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); ; (function($) { $('body').on('AdblockDetected', function() { var mpuWrapper = $('#mpu0').parent(); if (mpuWrapper.hasClass('ad-mpu')) { mpuWrapper.removeClass('ad-mpu').addClass('taboola-mpu'); } var stickyMpu; window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-rr3', container: 'mpu0', placement: 'IAB Thumbnails ABP', target_type: 'mix' }); }); }) (jQuery); ; (function($) { var test = document.createElement('div'); test.innerHTML = ' '; test.className = 'adsbox'; function detectOnload(){ document.body.appendChild(test); if (test.offsetHeight === 0) { document.body.classList.add('adblock'); $('body').trigger('AdblockDetected'); // add GA Events if defined if(typeof ga !== 'undefined'){ ga('send', 'event', 'Adblock', 'Blocked', location.href); } } else { $('body').trigger('AdblockNotDetected'); // add GA Events if defined if(typeof ga !== 'undefined'){ ga('send', 'event', 'Adblock', 'Unblocked', location.href); } // Old var should be depricat4d but used elsewhere window.runAds = true; } test.remove(); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? detectOnload : function() { oldonload(); detectOnload(); }; }) (jQuery); ; (function($) { $('body').on('AdblockDetected', function() { // check for mobile with helper if (typeof window.helper.isMobile !== 'undefined' && !window.helper.isMobile.any()){ var adblock_cookie = window.helper.getCookie('adblock_detected'); if (adblock_cookie !== 'ignored'){ $('.adblock.adblock-modal').css('display', 'block').appendTo('body'); window.helper.createCookie('adblock_detected', 'detected', 1); $('.adblock-modal [data-action="close"]').click(function(e){ window.helper.createCookie('adblock_detected', 'ignored', 30); $('.adblock-modal').remove(); }); $( window ).resize(function() { var height = $(window).height(); var container = $('.adblock-modal .adblock-container').filter(':visible'); container.height('auto'); container.css('overflow-y', ''); if (container.height() > $(window).height() - 190){ container.height($(window).height() - 190); container.css('overflow-y', 'scroll'); } }); $(window).trigger('resize'); } } }); }) (jQuery); ; (function($) { $('body').on('AdblockNotDetected', function() { var adblock_cookie = window.helper.getCookie('adblock_detected'); if (adblock_cookie) { $('.adblock-confirm.adblock-modal').css('display', 'block').appendTo('body'); window.helper.deleteCookie('adblock_detected'); if(typeof ga !== 'undefined'){ ga('send', 'event', 'AdblockDisabled', 'Disabled', location.href); } $('.adblock-modal [data-action="close"]').click(function(e){ $('.adblock-modal').remove(); }); }; }); }) (jQuery); ; var openXSettings = {"networkcode":"71347885-independent","publisher":"esimedia"}; ; window.__gigyaConf = {sessionExpiration: -2,} ; window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({article:"auto"}); !function (e, f, u) { e.async = 1; e.src = u; f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); }(document.createElement("script"), document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0], "//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/eslmedia-theindependent/loader.js"); ; window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({flush: true}); ; ga('send', 'event', 'Replatform', 'pageview', location.href); ; ga('send', 'event', 'Page Type', pageType, location.href); ; (function(){var a=document,b=a.createElement("script"),a=a.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];b.type="text/javascript";b.async=!0;b.src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://z.moatads.com/eveningstandard858kBFE49/moatcontent.js";a.parentNode.insertBefore(b,a)})(); ; jQuery(function() { ga('create', 'UA-69936242-1', 'auto', 'combined'); ga('combined.send', 'pageview'); }); </script>   <script> var _comscore = _comscore || []; _comscore.push({ c1: "2", c2: "10476312" }); (function() { var s = document.createElement("script"), el = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.async = true; s.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js"; el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el); })(); </script> <noscript> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715im_/https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=10476312&cv=2.0&cj=1"/> </noscript>   <script src="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://tags.onscroll.com/c5bed6a1-fa1a-47ca-b033-528d277352aa/tag.min.js" async defer></script> <div id="overlay"></div>   <script class="kxct" data-id="I8gY_o93" data-timing="async" data-version="1.9" type="text/javascript"> window.Krux || ((Krux = function() { Krux.q.push(arguments) }).q = []); (function() { var k = document.createElement('script'); k.type = 'text/javascript'; k.async = true; var m, src = (m = location.href.match(/\bkxsrc=([^&]+)/)) && decodeURIComponent(m[1]); k.src = /^https?:\/\/([^\/]+\.)?krxd\.net(:\d{1,5})?\//i.test(src) ? src : src === "disable" ? "" : (location.protocol === "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + "//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715/http://cdn.krxd.net/controltag?confid=I8gY_o93"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(k, s); }()); </script>   <script>var js_loaded=false;</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://stag.mdotlabs.com/ads.js"></script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/https://stag.mdotlabs.com/sherlock.php?clientID=6035250"></script>   <script src="//web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://ak.sail-horizon.com/onsite/personalize.v0.0.4.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>    <iframe name="__bkframe" height="0" width="0" frameborder="0" style="display:none;position:absolute;clip:rect(0px 0px 0px 0px)" src="about:blank"></iframe> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20170204033715js_/http://tags.bkrtx.com/js/bk-coretag.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> bk_addPageCtx('money', 'health_insurance'); bk_doJSTag(37716, 5); </script>  </body> </html>