What is the difference between the flu and a cold

Neither vomiting nor diarrhea is usually associated with the common cold, but both can be present in the flu. People may have the flu without key symptoms such as fever. To know for sure whether they have a cold or the flu, a person can get a special diagnostic test within a few days of their symptoms starting.

Colds do not usually lead to any further issues, although they can increase the chance of people with asthma having an asthma attack. Conversely, the flu can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia or bacterial infections. Each year, flu-related complications cause thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.

Most people recover from the flu in a few days to 2 weeks. Cold symptoms, which are generally milder, typically peak within 2—3 days and then get better gradually over a week or two. People can catch colds and flu in the same way. Both viruses are contagious and can transfer to a person who:. Colds are very common respiratory illnesses that are usually due to infections with rhinoviruses. Colds are one of the most frequent reasons for people missing work or school, with the average adult in the U.

Most people will have had many colds from infancy all the way through to later life. Viruses that cause the cold typically enter the body through the nose and sinuses. In response, the nose creates clear mucus to wash the virus away.

The symptoms of colds appear gradually and peak within 2—3 days. The most common symptoms include:. There is no cure, but colds will get better on their own. People can manage the symptoms by resting as much as possible, drinking plenty of fluids, and using over-the-counter OTC cold medicines if necessary.

Complications are rare, and there is normally no need to visit a doctor. However, people with a weakened immune system and those with asthma or another condition that affects the airways could become seriously ill from a cold. Read more about treating the common cold here. The flu is less common than colds, but when it does arise, it is more severe and can have serious complications.

However, not everyone with the flu will have a fever. Common symptoms of the flu include :. It is possible to prevent the flu to a certain extent. The seasonal flu shot protects to a significant degree against complications due to influenza A and influenza B, which are the types that usually cause seasonal epidemics.

Antibiotics do not work against either colds or the flu. Most people who have a cold or the flu will recover within 2 weeks without medical treatment. During this time, they can relieve their symptoms using home remedies. If a person is at risk for severe flu complications, the CDC recommend prompt treatment with antiviral medications. These drugs can reduce symptoms, shorten the illness by 1—2 days, and prevent serious complications.

In most healthy people, the flu will go away in 5 to 7 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better. The flu usually occurs during the late fall and winter. Cold symptoms usually come on over the course of a couple of days.

Colds usually last 1 to 2 weeks. As the cold gets worse, your nose may get stuffy with thicker mucus. You can catch a cold at any time of year, but they are more common in late winter and early spring.

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Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Skip Navigation. Top of the page. Difference Between the Flu and a Cold. Flu symptoms Flu symptoms are usually much worse than a cold. Symptoms may include: Fever. Shaking chills. Body aches. Feeling very tired.