Cold vs. Flu: Similarities and Differences

Cold symptoms	Flu symptoms
Runny nose or stuffy nose	Runny nose or stuffy nose
Sore throat	Sore throat
Cough	Cough (usually lasts longer)
Mild chest discomfort (sometimes)	Chest discomfort
sneeze	Sneezing (rare)
Mild body aches (rare)	Severe pains in the body
Instillation after the nose	Postnasal drops (sometimes)
Fatigue (rare)	Fatigue
Mild fever	High temperature, often with chills
Headache (rare)	Headache (common)

Colds and flu differ in causes, severity, and possible complications.

They are caused by various viruses

More than 200 viruses can cause a coldwith rhinovirus being the most common. Other viruses that cause the common cold include coronavirus (a strain of the common cold), parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus, and adenovirus.

Influenza viruses, mostly types A and B, including strains such as H1N1, cause the flu.

The flu is more severe

One of the most noticeable differences between a cold and the flu is the timing and severity of symptoms. Colds develop gradually and cause mild discomfort, causing malaise, but not serious illness. In contrast, flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and are much more intense.

Cold symptoms usually peak on the second or third day and disappear within 5-7 days. The flu lasts 1-2 weeksbut fatigue may last for several weeks.

The flu has a higher risk of complications

Colds rarely lead to complications, although they can sometimes trigger asthma attacks or cause ear or sinus infections. Although most people recover from the flu without serious problems, it can lead to more serious health problems, some of which can be life-threatening.

Complications of the flu can include:

• Bronchitis– swelling and accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract
• Pneumonia, lung infection
• Sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection
• Swelling of the brain, heart or muscles

Despite their differences, colds and flu share similarities in who they affect, how the viruses spread, and how to prevent illness.

They primarily affect the same groups

Colds and flu can affect anyone, but certain groups are more likely to get sick or have a harder time recovering from either illness.

People at increased risk of developing or having more serious conditions include:

• Adults 65 years and older
• People who are pregnant
• People with chronic conditions such as asthma or heart disease
• People with a weakened immune system
• Children under 5 years old (especially under 2 years old)

They spread in the same way

Both cold diseases and the flu spreads through respiratory droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks. You can also get infected by touching surfaces infected with the virus (such as telephones, doorknobs, light switches) before touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Viruses that cause colds and flu tend to survive longer and spread more effectively in cool, dry conditions. This is why both conditions are more common in the fall and winter when temperatures drop and humidity levels are lower.

Prevention strategies are similar

The following tips can help reduce your chances of getting or spreading the flu or cold:

• Avoid close contact (such as kissing or sharing cups) with others when you are sick
• Avoid crowded places, especially if you belong to a risk group
• Do not touch your eyes, face, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Stay away from sick people
• Stay home when you are sick
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent colds and flu. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and being active. These steps can strengthen your lungs and immune system, helping you fight off colds and flu.

Some people also take supplements such as elderberry, vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc to boost their immunity and help prevent disease.

Although colds and flu share many preventive measures, only flu has a vaccine for treatment and prevention. There is no vaccine for the common cold, as it is caused by different viruses. An annual flu vaccine can help protect you against the most common strains of flu, such as influenza A and B.

Because colds and flu are caused by different viruses, it is possible to catch both. However, a coinfection rare because influenza viruses and rhinoviruses compete, with one virus usually growing faster in the body.

You may not realize that you’re getting a cold and the flu at the same time, but chances are you’ll feel worse than either infection alone.

A cold goes away in about a week, and the flu usually clears up within a few weeks with rest, hydration, home remedies, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. You should tell your healthcare provider if you or a loved one experiences a cough that worsens while other symptoms subside, a fever that lasts more than three days, dehydration, or worsening chronic conditions.

In more severe cases of the flu, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a pulmonologist for lung problems or an infectious disease specialist for flu complications.

Go to an emergency clinic if you or someone you know experiences:

• Breathing seems to become a bit more difficult
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea that does not improve
• Moderate dehydration (a sign of which may be no urine for eight hours)
• A persistent high temperature that does not respond to medication is greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) in children or 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) in adults
• Symptoms that worsen after initial improvement

Get emergency help if you or someone you know experiences:

• Bluish or gray lips or face
• Chest pain
• Perplexity
• faint
• Retractions (retraction of the ribs with each breath in young children)
• Convulsions
• Severe dehydration (dizziness, hallucinations, lack of urine output)
• Strong weakness
• Dyspnea
• Temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40.0 degrees Celsius)

Colds and flu are common respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Both have common symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, cough and sore throat. However, flu symptoms tend to be more sudden and severe, and cause fever and body aches.

Prevention strategies include maintaining good hygiene, avoiding sick people, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Although there is a vaccine for the flu, there is no vaccine for the common cold. Knowing the differences between the two conditions can help you manage your symptoms and seek medical help when needed.