Difference Between Cold & Flu

Millions of people throughout the world suffer from Colds and the Flu every year. Children and the elderly are the groups most likely to contract them. The two diseases are similar; both are viral infections of the respiratory tract, and both share common symptoms. Colds and the flu are also highly contagious, so it is important to know how to prevent and treat both.

The main difference between influenza, or flu, and cold is that flu symptoms are more severe. Symptoms may appear suddenly, at an already rather severe stage (high fever, extreme fatigue, etc.). Cold symptoms are less severe and come on more gradually.

Influenza may lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia. This usually happens in people at higher risk, such as the elderly or those with existing chronic conditions. With a cold, there are generally no serious complications; the most frequent is the development of sinusitis (sinus infection or inflammation which requires a doctor's care).

Both colds and influenza are recurrent diseases, and they can reappear more than once in the same year.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS	FLU	COLD
ONSET	SUDDEN	GRADUAL
FEVER	COMMON; LASTING 3-4 DAYS	RARE
COUGH	DRY; CAN BECOME SEVERE	HACKING, MILD
HEADACHE	PROMINENT	RARE
MUSCLE/JOIN ACHES; PAIN	USUAL; OFTEN SEVERE	SLIGHT
FATIGUE AND WEAKNESS	CAN LAST UP TO 2 WEEKS	VERY MILD
EXTREME EXHAUSTION	EARLY AND PROMINENT	NEVER
CHEST DISCOMFORT	COMMON	MILD/MODERATE
STUFFY NOSE	SOMETIMES	COMMON
SNEEZING	SOMETIMES	USUALLY
SORE THROAT	SOMETIMES	COMMON

DID YOU KNOW?

THE VIRUS

There are over 200 different viruses that cause "the common cold." While you may develop a resistance to some of these viruses, contact with others could still cause a new cold. This is why doctors say there is no "cure" for the common cold.

CAUSES

Your body's resistance to contracting a cold is not affected by being wet or "chilled." Catching a cold is not related to cold temperatures or bad weather. The common cold is also unrelated to factors such as exercise, diet, enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics are not effective against cold and flu viruses.

Note: Concerns about Reye?s Syndrome, a rare but severe illness, are primarily related to use for viral infections in children and teenagers. In these groups, aspirin should not be used to treat flu-related pain and fever.