What's the difference between a cold and a flu?

What's the difference between a cold and a flu?
What's the difference between a cold and a flu? Is it the same?

Posted by max_rochny
a cold will bum you out, the flu will make you down and out.

Posted by tofffees
Flu comes with a fever... cold comes with a runningnose and discomfort

Posted by Jo
A bit different.
Colds are minor infections of the nose and throat caused by several different viruses.
The Flu is an infection of the respiratory system caused by the influenza virus (type A,B and C).
Flu symptoms are more severe, include high fever, muscle ache. Leading to life threatening complication, such as pneumonia.

Both have some different symptoms, treatment and vaccination.


http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/is-it-a-cold-or-flu
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/517.html
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=23161

Posted by Ebonee L
The cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses, but are caused by different viruses. Both cause flu-like symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on their symptoms alone. In general the flu is far worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. People with colds are more likely to have runny and stuffy noses. Colds usually do not result in serious health problems, such as bactrerial infections, pneumonia, and hospitalization (but the flu can). It is hard to tell the difference between the cold and the flu, because they share some of the same symptoms. To determine if you have one or the other, special tests may be done within the first few days of the illness. I hope I helped you.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! Cold and Flu Basics - Cold and Flu Center - Gocoldflu.info
How to recognize the symptoms of cold and flu, which treatments work best, and advice on staying healthy during cold and flu season

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