Cold vs. Flu: How to Tell Them Apart
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2019/12/13 - Updated: 2025/11/30
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Influenza - Colds - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information offers a straightforward, practical comparison of cold and flu symptoms that cuts through common misconceptions people often have about viral illnesses. Written by a disability health information specialist with years of expertise in making medical content accessible, the article walks readers through the key differences between influenza and cold viruses - from what causes each illness to how they spread and when they're most common. The piece includes a helpful symptom comparison chart and practical self-care tips that prove especially useful for people managing chronic conditions or those with weakened immune systems who need to recognize warning signs quickly, as well as for older adults and people with disabilities who face greater complications from flu.
Beyond just identifying symptoms, the article addresses common myths like whether cold weather worsens a cold, information many people find surprisingly helpful for managing expectations and reducing unnecessary worry. The emphasis on knowing when to seek medical attention makes this a genuinely practical resource for anyone trying to navigate the difference between two conditions that often get confused - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
There are literally hundreds of strains of cold viruses that can cause a cold any time of year.
There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D. Influenza A and B viruses are the most common cause of seasonal influenza outbreaks in humans. Emergence of a new and different influenza A virus that infects people can cause an influenza pandemic. Typically, type C influenza only causes minor respiratory diseases (not an epidemic), and influenza D mainly affects animals and does not infect humans.
Currently there is no treatment against the flu or a cold, since they are viral infections (and not bacterial), antibiotics have no effect on them. Your immune system must fight the infection in order to eliminate it. Both colds and the flu require plenty of rest, fluids and time.
Main Content
How to Tell a Cold and the Flu Apart
- The flu is caused by the influenza virus.
- A cold can be caused by different types of viruses, the most common ones belong to the rhinovirus family. A cold can not change into the flu.
When is "Flu Season"?
- Tropics - In tropical regions - close to the Equator - the influenza virus is active throughout the entire year.
- Northern Hemisphere - Flu activity usually peaks annually in January and February - but can extend all the way into May.
- Southern Hemisphere - In temperate climate zones of the Southern Hemisphere, influenza activity generally occurs during the month of April though to September.
A vaccine against the flu is available, but there is no vaccine currently available to protect you against a cold. The flu vaccine is updated to include current viruses each year. Fall (Autumn) is the best time of year to receive the yearly influenza vaccine shot.
When should I receive a flu shot?
Cold and Flu Tips
- Wash your hands often to avoid spreading infection to others.
- If you have a sore throat, try eating softer foods that are easier to swallow.
- Use a humidifier to keep the air moist and ease throat and nose discomfort.
- Drink warm liquids like tea and chicken soup to help relieve a sore, scratchy throat.
- Most doctors recommend you stay home and not go to work, or crowded public places, during the severe symptoms stage of a cold or flu, e.g. diarrhea, fever, cough with mucus, vomiting, or general fatigue.
- Can You Get a Cold from Being in the Cold?
No, only a cold virus can cause the common cold. It is also a common, but mistaken, belief that going outside with damp hair, or not dressed warmly on a cold day will worsen the symptoms of a cold virus. Being in cold weather will certainly make you feel colder, and your nose and eyes may run more, but will not make a cold worse.
How Do I Know If I Have the Flu or a Cold?
| Different Symptoms Between Colds and Flu | ||
|---|---|---|
| Symptom | Colds | Influenza |
| Sore Throat | Very common | Common. |
| Sneezing | Common | Rare. |
| Runny Stuffed nose |
Common | Rare. |
| Headaches | Rare | Common, Sometimes strong. |
| Overall Pain | Occasional, Mild | Common, Sometimes intense. |
| Coughing | Mild, Moderate, Rarely severe | Strong, Possible respiratory problems |
| Fever | Rare, mild, transient | Possible sudden high fever (102ºF/38.9ºC - 104ºF/40ºC); lasts 3 - 4 days. NOTE: Not everyone with flu will experience fever. |
| Fatigue Weakness |
Occasional, mild | Common, Often strong, Can be severe at onset and last several weeks. |
| Summary | ||
| Colds | In general, a cold is shorter in duration and less intense than the flu. Symptoms related to the common cold are usually milder than symptoms of the flu. Those enduring a cold 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. | |
| Influenza | Symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish and/or chills, persistent cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and/or body aches, headaches and/or fatigue. Vomiting and/or diarrhea is more common in children than adults and rarely occur with the common cold. Most people who get flu will recover in several days - to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death. | |
If cold or flu symptoms become serious, do not hesitate to call or see a doctor.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The distinction between the common cold and influenza matters more than many realize, particularly for vulnerable populations who may face serious complications from what others experience as minor illness. While both are viral infections requiring your body's own immune response to recover, understanding which condition you have shapes decisions about whether you need immediate medical attention or can manage symptoms at home. The article's straightforward approach sidesteps medical jargon without oversimplifying, making it an honest resource for people who need clear answers rather than reassurance - a quality that builds real trust in health information - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.