Imagine waking up in the morning and coughing and sneezing with body ache and feverishness. How do you know whether it is a common cold or the flu? It is important to know the differences between the two. Symptoms of cold may cause discomfort for a few days, while flu may make you sick for a few days or weeks.

Symptoms of the Common Cold
The symptoms last for about one week, and during the first three days, your cold is infectious. It is recommended to get rest by staying home to ensure you do not pass the infection to others. Some common symptoms are

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Mild fatigue
• Sore throat
• Body ache and head pain
• Coughing
• Sneezing

If these symptoms don’t subside within a week, you may consult a doctor for antibiotics, as the cold may be due to a bacterial infection.

Symptoms of the Flu
Generally, the symptoms improve within two to five days; however, it is common to suffer from these for one week or even more. Sometimes, the flu may become more complicated and turn into pneumonia, especially in young or older people or patients with heart and lung ailments.

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Dry and hacking cough
• Moderate to high fever; some people may not run a temperature
• Severe tiredness that lasts for about two weeks
• Sore throat
• Runny and stuffy nose
• Shaking chills
• Headache
• Severe muscular and body pain

If there is any shortness of breath, you must consult the doctor. Another symptom of pneumonia is the return of the temperature a couple of days after it is gone.

Those experiencing the flu or cold must call the doctor immediately in case of the following severe signs:

• Pain while swallowing
• Persistent fever
• Lasting headache and congestion
• Persistent cough

If  the following signs are observed, you might need immediate medical attention:

• Lasting vomiting
• Severe chest pain
• Confusion
• Acute headache
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath

In the case of children, the following symptoms may need emergency medical attention:

• Fever along with a rash
• Difficulty in breathing
• Improving symptoms that worsen suddenly
• Bluish skin color
• Extreme distress or irritability
• Not drinking adequate fluids
• Failure to interact or lethargy

In the case  of cold vs. flu, here is a summary of the difference between their signs:

• With the flu, you may have high fever for several days while it may be mild for a cold.
• A headache is common for the flu.
• You may have mild pains and aches with a common cold, but these may be severe when you suffer from flu.
• Weakness and fatigue for two or three weeks is common with the flu.
• Common cold often results in sneezing and sore throat, while it may be occasional in case of the flu.
• You may suffer from mild chest discomfort when you have a cold; however, it is usual for the flu and may sometimes become severe.

Generally, you may be able to identify the ailment based on the time of the year. Nonetheless, it is advisable to know the differentiating signs between the cold and flu.