Because of the overlap in symptoms, people often mix up cold and flu. Understand the differences between cold and flu by considering the facts.

Cold & Flu Causes

The common cold is a viral infection that affects your upper respiratory tract (nose ,throat and lungs). It’s generally not considered serious, and most people recover within a week or two.¹ There are over 100 viruses that can cause the common cold.

The flu is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus that affects your entire respiratory system—nose, throat and lungs². Since these viruses constantly change, even if you’ve had the flu in the past, your body might be susceptible to a new strain this year.³

Compare Cold & Flu Symptoms⁴,⁵

Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and headaches are more  common with the flu than colds.  Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.  Stuffy nose, sore throat and hacking productive cough are more common with colds. Chest congestion can be moderately severe with the flu, less common with colds. In colds, one tends to see a hacking cough that brings up mucus.  In the flu ,one sees a cough that gets more wet with progression. 

How Long Will You Be Contagious With Cold & Flu

You are most contagious for the first 2 or 3 days after symptoms first appear. However, symptoms may continue to linger. You are most contagious for the first 1 or 2 days before symptoms first appear and 5 to 7 days after symptoms develop. 

The Bottom Line on Cold & Flu

 Cold symptoms are generally less severe than those associated with the flu and develop gradually. Flu symptoms develop quickly and can range from mild to severe, and may sometimes lead to pneumonia, bronchitis and ear infection.²

Sources:

1. “Common Cold.” Symptoms & Causes. Web. Retrieved August 7, 2018, from, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
2. “Influenza (flu).” - Mayo Clinic. Web. Retrieved August 7, 2018, from, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/basics/definition/con-20035101
3. “Influenza (flu).” Preventative Steps. Web. Retrieved August 7, 2018, from, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm
4. “Key Facts About Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine.” (2015). Retrieved August 7, 2018, from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
5. “Cold Versus Flu.” (January 30, 2018). Retrieved August 7, 2018, from, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm