Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Colds and flu share many of the same symptoms, including cough, sore throat, and fatigue. Even the stages of flu recovery are similar to the stages of recovery for thecommon cold. At times, testing may be the only way to determine if the flu is involved so that antiviral drugs—which work for flu but not colds—can be prescribed.
Typically,influenza (flu)is worse with symptoms developing more intensely and abruptly, but not always. Although it can sometimes be difficult (or even impossible) to tell them apart based on symptoms alone, cold and flu have different causes and respond to different treatments.
Cold vs. Flu Symptoms
If you were to broadly characterize colds versus flu,cold symptomstend to develop gradually whileflu symptomsusually develop abruptly.Flu symptoms also tend to be more severe.
Colds generally do not lead to complications, although ear infection is among them.Flu, on the other hand, can sometimes lead to severe and even life-threateningcomplications—particularly in these populations:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes the differences in symptoms of colds versus flu as follows:
Cold symptoms typically last between seven and 10 days.Uncomplicated flu also typically resolves within seven days for the majority of people.
1:51Click Play to Learn About the Symptoms of the Flu
1:51
Click Play to Learn About the Symptoms of the Flu
Beyond that, the viruses that cause colds and flu differ entirely. This includes the way that they cause illness.
Common Cold
Cold symptoms develop as a result of the body’s response to the virus—in the form ofinflammation.Symptoms develop when the virus attaches to cellular receptors on the lining of nasal passages and thepharynx(throat). Initial symptoms include a runny nose and sore throat. As the infection progresses, coughing, sneezing, and stuffiness commonly develop.
Influenza
Unlike cold viruses, influenza attaches to receptors in thetrachea(windpipe) andbronchi(the two large airways of the lungs). While inflammation contributes to the symptoms, the virus causes actual damage to respiratory tissues as it replicates.
This accounts for the severity of flu symptoms and the higher risk of flu complications.
There are some differences in how colds and flu are diagnosed. While there are tests that can detect influenza (with varying degrees of accuracy), none can detect the common cold.
The common cold is diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. There are no tests to diagnose colds as there are so many causes. If testing is done, it is usually to rule out other possible causes, such asCOVID-19.
If the test result is positive (meaning you have influenza), you may be prescribed treatments to reduce the severity and duration of your illness. If the result is negative, additional testing may be done to ensure you don’t have another potentially more serious infection or illness.
The only true “cure” for colds and flu is time. There are no drugs that can stop the infection or fully eradicate cold or flu viruses. Theimmune systemwill almost invariably bring the infection under control. Your part in treatment is managing symptoms until you feel better.
There is no vaccine, treatment, or medication available to prevent or cure cold viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the following approach if you do get a cold:
In most cases, people get better on their own.
Warning to ParentsWhilecough & cold medicinesmay be useful for adults and older children, they should not be used in children under 2 due to the risk of potentially serious side effects.Speak with your pediatrician for guidance on how to treat colds and flu in younger children.
Warning to Parents
Whilecough & cold medicinesmay be useful for adults and older children, they should not be used in children under 2 due to the risk of potentially serious side effects.Speak with your pediatrician for guidance on how to treat colds and flu in younger children.
With uncomplicated flu, all you usually need to recover is rest and plenty of fluids. OTC pain relievers, decongestants, expectorants, and cough suppressants may be used if needed.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Rest, home remedies (likevaporizer use), and over-the-counter medications often help to relieve cold and flu symptoms as people recover on their own. You may need to see a healthcare provider if you experience more serious symptoms, such as:
You also may want to consider seeking a diagnosis if your symptoms suggest another condition, such as a sinus infection, is at work.
Summary
There are no tests, vaccines, or antiviral treatments specific to the common cold. By contrast, rapid tests, vaccines, and antivirals are available for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of flu. Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist or you need guidance on treatment.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.University of California at Los Angeles Health.Knowing the difference between a cold and the flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at increased risk for flu complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and managing common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.Pugach P, Sadeghi-Latefi N.Supporting respiratory epithelia and lowering inflammation to effectively treat common cold symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.PLoS One. 2024 Nov 27;19(11):e0301959. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301959Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.MedlinePlus.Flu (Influenza) test.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to help prevent flu.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Health Center.Cold vs. flu, and when to see the doctor.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.University of California at Los Angeles Health.Knowing the difference between a cold and the flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at increased risk for flu complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and managing common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.Pugach P, Sadeghi-Latefi N.Supporting respiratory epithelia and lowering inflammation to effectively treat common cold symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.PLoS One. 2024 Nov 27;19(11):e0301959. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301959Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.MedlinePlus.Flu (Influenza) test.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to help prevent flu.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Health Center.Cold vs. flu, and when to see the doctor.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.University of California at Los Angeles Health.Knowing the difference between a cold and the flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at increased risk for flu complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and managing common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.Pugach P, Sadeghi-Latefi N.Supporting respiratory epithelia and lowering inflammation to effectively treat common cold symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.PLoS One. 2024 Nov 27;19(11):e0301959. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301959Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.MedlinePlus.Flu (Influenza) test.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to help prevent flu.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Health Center.Cold vs. flu, and when to see the doctor.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.
University of California at Los Angeles Health.Knowing the difference between a cold and the flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at increased risk for flu complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing and managing common cold.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.
Pugach P, Sadeghi-Latefi N.Supporting respiratory epithelia and lowering inflammation to effectively treat common cold symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.PLoS One. 2024 Nov 27;19(11):e0301959. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301959
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.
MedlinePlus.Flu (Influenza) test.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Rhinoviruses.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to help prevent flu.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Health Center.Cold vs. flu, and when to see the doctor.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine.
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