How can you tell a cold from the flu? Although similarities
exist between the two illnesses—and their treatment—they're
caused by entirely different viruses. The worst part of a cold
might last longer, but the flu generally causes more discomfort.
Here, according to Thomas Gossel, Ph.D., R.Ph., is a comparison
of common symptoms and the differences between them, depending
on whether they are caused by a cold or the flu. Fever.
Prominent with flu, coming on suddenly; rare with a cold.
Headache. Prominent with flu; rare with a cold. General aches.
Prominent and often severe with flu; slight with a cold.
Fatigue. Extreme with flu, lasting 2 to 3 weeks; mild with a
cold. Runny nose. Occasional with the flu; common with a cold.
Sore throat. Occasional with the flu; common with a cold. Cough.
Common and possibly severe with the flu; mild to moderate
hacking cough with a cold. Getting the flu is sort of like
taking a multiple-choice quiz. That's because there are three
main types of influenza: A, B, and C. Within th