Cold and Flu - What’s the Difference?

Both colds and the flu are respiratory viruses. They have many similar symptoms, and can be easily confused and misdiagnosed as each other. It’s important to recognise the difference between cold and flu symptoms however, to ensure the correct treatment is taken. While a cold usually disperses within several days, if not cared for, flu can evolve into more serious complications that can be lethal to certain people, such as the elderly, the very young and those with other existing health complications

It’s important to recognise the difference between flu symptoms and cold symptoms because anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu, which are effective in treating the flu, have to be taken during the very early stages of flu symptoms appearing. A major difference is the speed and aggression of the onset of the virus. While during either sickness you will experience similar symptoms like a stuffy nose, headache and coughs, it’s only flu that causes an aggressive high fever. The onset of the fever is sudden and occurs right in the beginning phases of influenza. Often in the first few days of flu, high fevers are coupled with the chills and severe body aches and pains that are more prominent in the joints, the back and legs. The sudden onset of the aches and pains, fever and often fatigue will leave most people suffering from flu bed-ridden in the early stages.

For an easy way to differentiate between the symptoms of a common cold and the flu (influenza virus) check the chart below. You’ll notice that while most symptoms are shared, they occur at varying degrees and for different lengths of time. Cold symptoms are generally much milder and less prominent than flu symptoms.

It’s important to remember that both the cold and the flu are highly contagious, especially during the beginning phases. Both enter your body through the mucous membranes of your mouth, nose and ears, and are generally transmitted through the air, making them highly contagious.

It is important to realise that it’s often not the symptoms that are different, but rather the degree of the severity of the symptom and the amount of time they are prominent. When in doubt, the most sensible thing to do is visit a doctor and get a professional diagnosis. Alternatively, you can contact our medical team for further advice.

Preventing colds or flu

Another difference is in the prevention of colds and flu. It is actually impossible to prevent the onset of a common cold. It is an airborne virus that’s very contagious, and there is no vaccination or medication that can prevent it from infecting you. Flu, on the other hand, can be prevented with a yearly flu vaccination, or with anti-viral drugs.

Finally, to differentiate between a cold and flu, a major difference is the length the virus stays in your body. A cold, for example, shouldn’t last more than a week, with the first few days being the most severe for symptoms. Flu can last up to 3 weeks, with the first week being the most severe.