Cold vs. Flu: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing cold and flu using available credits or plan allowance.
A common cold is a mild infection of the nose and throat caused by many different viruses, while flu (influenza) is caused by influenza viruses and usually strikes suddenly with fever, body aches and exhaustion. Both spread through droplets and contaminated hands, but flu is more likely to cause serious complications such as pneumonia, especially in older people and young children.
At a glance
| Cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Over 200 viruses, most often rhinoviruses | Influenza viruses, mainly types A and B |
| Onset | Gradual, over a day or two | Sudden, often within hours |
| Main symptoms | Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat | Fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough |
| Severity | Usually mild; rarely serious | Can lead to pneumonia and hospital stays |
| Vaccine | No vaccine available | Flu vaccine, updated every year |
Which should you use?
A cold is the likely cause when symptoms build slowly and stay mostly in the nose and throat, such as sneezing and a blocked nose after a classmate had the same.
Flu is more likely when high fever, shivering and aching muscles arrive suddenly, often during flu season; anyone in a high-risk group or with breathing difficulty should see a doctor.