What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

Answer 1

They are caused by different viruses and have slightly different symptoms.

See related question below for the symptoms of the A-H1N1/09 "Swine Flu".

The symptoms of the cold and flu can be hard to differentiate, sometimes not even possible without a specific laboratory test to determine which virus is causing your symptoms. See the related link below for more information on this from US Flu website, Flu.gov.

The primary differences are:

• The flu usually causes a high fever and a cold doesn't cause a fever except in rare circumstance.
• General aches and pains with the flu are usually present and can be severe, with a cold they are mild.
• You may feel very fatigued from the flu and this is unusual with a cold.
• Headaches are much more common with the flu.
• The usual cold symptoms of stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat are only sometimes seen with the flu.
• A severe cough comes with the flu but is not as severe with a cold.

Colds typically begin with a sore throat. Sometimes a mild fever, cough, and/or a stuffy nose are present. It is important to note the difference between a cold and an allergy because of the different treatments associated with each. Cold symptoms can usually be controlled through the use of a decongestant and anti-inflammatory medicine (e.g. ibuprofen). Fever is not as common in colds as in the flu. Those with colds almost always have fevers under 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are a few basic kinds of flu viruses but hundreds of cold viruses. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations, whereas this is possible with an infection with a flu virus.

FLU

LIKELY (>50% chance of these symptoms)

• fever 102 deg. F (39 deg. C) or higher (can reach up to 107 deg. F (42 deg. C) in extreme cases)
• dry hacking cough
• severe runny nose
• stuffiness
• chills (happen during fevers when body adjusts thermostat to raise it's set point)
• headache

POSSIBLE (30-50% chance)

• sore throat

RARE (< 30% chance)

• diarrhea
• vomiting

COLD

LIKELY (>50% chance)

• runny nose
• stuffiness
• coughing frequently

POSSIBLE (30-50% chance)

• fever 99 deg. F to 101 deg. F (37.2 deg C to 38.3 deg C.)
• chills
• sore throat

RARE (<30% chance)

• gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting

The 'flu - an abbreviation for "influenza" - is a viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics.

A cold, on the other hand, a common viral infection in which the mucous membrane of the nose and throat becomes inflamed.
Influenza (the flu) is usually a more severe illness than the common cold, which is caused by other respiratory viruses. The 'flu typically showcases symptoms including headaches, chills and cough followed rapidly by a fever, appetite loss, muscle aches and tiredness. Cold symptoms are limited to the upper respiratory tract with runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and throat irritation.

Answer 2

Yes, a "cold" is what it is called when you have an infection by a rhinovirus, a virus similar to the viruses that cause the flu. It mostly affects the upper respiratory tract and one of its symptoms can be fever.

A fever is a symptom of some diseases or infections. It is what it is called when your body temperature goes above normal and you feel very hot and sweaty. Our bodies use this to help us fight infections. Fevers can be caused by viruses (like a cold and the flu), bacterial infections, and other diseases.

Answer 3

Yes, it is possible, although usually common colds do not produce fevers over 99-100 F. Higher fevers do come with the flu, which is an indication that the illness may be influenza instead of a simple cold.

Note: The common cold is caused by a few hundred viruses that are constantly mutating. This makes vaccine production impractical. There are fewer influenza viruses that mutate but not as rapidly as cold viruses, which makes it possible to create vaccines before the flu spreads in the flu seasons. There is no relationship between cold weather and catching a cold or the flu, that is folklore.

Answer 4

There are some very big key differences between a cold and the flu. A flu consists of a high fever and possible vomiting. A cold is virus that causes runny nose, congestion, and possible sore throat. A flu usually lasts for a shorter period of time than a cold.

Answer 5

The difference between a cold and flu is that the symptoms are a little different. A cold is milder than the flu. When you have a cold the symptoms typically are: cough, runny nose and sore throat. Typical flu symptoms are all of the cold symptoms plus body aches and fever. For more information log on to www.doctors.com

Answer 6

Yes there is.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

you cant