many people confuse the common cold with influenza (the flu). influenza is caused by the influenza virus while the common cold generally is not. while some of the symptoms of the common cold and influenza may be similar patients with the common cold typically have a milder illness. patients with influenza usually appear more ill and have a more abrupt onset of illness with fever chills headache substantial muscle and body aches dry cough and extreme weakness. though differentiating between the common cold and influenza can be difficult there is laboratory testing available to confirm the diagnoses of influenza.
what is the difference between the common cold and influenza (the flu)?