What are differences between a cold and the flu?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:The common cold and the flu, or influenza, may cause many of the same symptoms. For instance, both the cold and flu can produce fever, coughing, nasal congestion, headaches and fatigue. However, there are some important differences between a cold and the flu, including the following:
- The flu causes a very high fever. With the flu, your body temperature may rise over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. A cold causes only a mild fever, if any. The flu can also cause chills and sweats; a cold doesn't.
- Unlike the flu, a common cold can cause a sore throat, sneezing and a runny nose.
- When you develop a cold, the symptoms usually emerge gradually. Symptoms of the flu usually come on more suddenly.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulThe common cold and the flu, or influenza, may cause many of the same symptoms. For instance, both the cold and flu can produce fever, coughing, nasal congestion, headaches and fatigue. However, there are some important differences between a... More -
A cold, also called the common cold, and the flu, or influenza, are both infections of the respiratory system. Both colds and influenza are caused by a variety of different viruses. In addition, the symptoms of both cold and flu include a fever, cough, congestion, headaches, fatigue, and body aches. The similarities in symptoms make it difficult to distinguish one form the other.
However, with a cold, symptoms tend to be milder: body aches and fatigue are mild, the fever is lower, and the headache is less painful. People with colds have more sneezing, itchy throats, and runny noses. People with the flu experience more pronounced fatigue, higher fever, and painful headaches. In children, influenza can produce digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Flu is also more likely to lead to complications and hospitalization.
Helpful? 3 people found this helpfulA cold, also called the common cold, and the flu, or influenza, are both infections of the respiratory system. Both colds and influenza are caused by a variety of different viruses. In addition, the symptoms of both cold and flu include a fever,... More -
Dr. Leigh Vinocur answered:This seasonal question is age-old: Is it a cold or is it the flu? While it often feels like you’re only choice to wait and see how sick you get, there are clues to help you differentiate one from the other. Typically, colds begin gradually with a sore throat that is rarely accompanied by a fever, headache and/or muscle aches. The main symptoms of a cold are sniffles, a runny nose and a wet sounding productive cough. Flu on the other hand, hits you like a freight train with a high fever that’s usually greater than 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit, a bad headache and muscle aches. Rarely do you have sniffles, and if there is a cough, it is usually a dry non-productive cough. The flu causes severe fatigue; you will be wiped out. Colds usually get better by 1 week at the most but the flu can linger longer. Another easy trick is if all your symptoms are occurring above your neck (such as runny nose) it’s probably a cold, if they are occurring below your neck (such as body aches) it’s probably the flu!
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulThis seasonal question is age-old: Is it a cold or is it the flu? While it often feels like you’re only choice to wait and see how sick you get, there are clues to help you differentiate one from the other. Typically, colds begin gradually... More -
Dr. Alan Seifer of Baptist Health South Florida answered:The biggest differences between a cold and the flu usually have to do with the intensity and longevity of the symptoms. A cold may slow you down, but the flu can seriously keep you in bed and out of work.
The flu will make you feel very weak and fatigued for up to two or three weeks. Muscle aches and periods of chills and sweats that come with a fever are also telltale signs of the flu.
Both the common cold and the flu will give you a stuffy or runny nose, headache and sore throat. But flu symptoms come on with much greater severity. Fever, extreme fatigue and severe cough or chest discomfort tend to be the symptoms that most overtly signal the flu over the onset of the common cold.
Antiviral drugs to treat the flu are recommended within 24 to 48 hours of onset.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulThe biggest differences between a cold and the flu usually have to do with the intensity and longevity of the symptoms. A cold may slow you down, but the flu can seriously keep you in bed and out of work. The flu will make you feel very weak and... More -
Dr. Jill Grimes answered:The difference between a common cold and the flu is that a cold can cause headache, stuffy/runny nose, and sore throat, but generally does not cause intense body aches and high fevers. The flu is not so subtle. It often comes on suddenly, and the flu victim typically feels (and looks) like they've been hit by a Mack truck, with serious aches and pains in their muscles, bad headache, intense sore throat worse with swallowing, high fever, and often a cough.
The difference between a common cold and the flu is that a cold can cause headache, stuffy/runny nose, and sore throat, but generally does not cause intense body aches and high fevers. The flu is not so subtle. It often comes on suddenly,... More -
RealAge answered:Some cold symptoms and flu symptoms are the same. This list will assist you in determining whether your symptoms are likely to be due to a cold or an influenza virus.
Symptoms of the flu include:
- decreased appetite
- runny or congested nose
- red eyes
- sneezing
- headache
- general body ache
- dry cough
- sudden onset of symptoms
- pain around or behind the eyes
- fever of 101 degrees to 104 degrees
- intestinal disturbance
- vomiting
- fatigue
- gradual onset of symptoms
- sore throat
- decreased appetite
- runny or congested nose
- red eyes
- sneezing
- headache
- general body ache
- dry cough
Some cold symptoms and flu symptoms are the same. This list will assist you in determining whether your symptoms are likely to be due to a cold or an influenza virus. Symptoms of the flu include: decreased appetite runny or congested nose... More
