Cold vs Flu: what are the differences, symptoms & treatments?

Feeling run down and worse for wear? When you’ve come down with a cough, sore throat, blocked nose, or any other symptoms of a respiratory virus, there’s often one question that comes to mind: Is it a cold or the flu?

If you’re not sure which you have, here we’re comparing the differences, causes, and symptoms of colds vs flu, and most importantly, sharing remedies and treatments to buck your illness.

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Find Cold & Flu Relief Fast: Our Quick Guide

• What is a cold?

• What causes the common cold?

• When can you catch a cold?

• What are the symptoms of a cold?

• What is the contagious period for a cold?

• What is the flu?

• When can you catch the flu?

• What are the symptoms of the flu?

• Do I have a cold or do I have flu?

• What to do if you have a cold or the flu?
• Medicines for cold and flu

The common cold (often shortened to a cold) is a type of viral infection that causes inflammation of your nose and throat.

Colds are viral and are easily spread from person to person by air droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air by the sick person.

Colds typically last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, with the average duration of a cold being 7 to 10 days. How long a common cold lasts can be affected by immune system strength, age, stress, underlying medical conditions, and the severity of the initial infection.

If you have a weakened immune system or underlying medical conditions (caused by chemotherapy, type 1 diabetes, asthma etc.), are under 5 or over 65, or are experiencing higher levels of stress, this can make recovery periods longer.

What causes the common cold?

The common cold is caused by a type of respiratory virus. In fact, the common cold is not caused by one singular type of virus.

Did you know: there are more than 200 viruses that are associated with the symptoms of common colds.

Common colds are primarily caused by strains of rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, and enteroviruses.

As the viruses that cause common colds continuously evolve, getting one in the past does not make you immune to catching another. This is why there is no definitive ‘cure’ for the common cold.

When can you catch a cold?

You can catch a cold at any point in the year, though colds and respiratory viruses are caught most often during autumn and winter months.

But why do colds spread more easily in autumn and winter? Well, this comes down to a number of different factors:

• Viruses survive better in cold, dry environments: The viruses that lead to cold-like symptoms typically survive for longer in cold, dry conditions that come with the colder autumn and winter seasons

• Dry air weakens the immune system's defences: Cold air dries the nasal passages, which is your body's active defence mechanism against respiratory viruses. The mucus, which typically traps viruses, dries up, making your nose less effective at trapping and expelling viruses to prevent infection.

• Closer proximity, greater risk: In the cold autumn and winter months, we often spend more time indoors and at get-togethers (especially over the holidays). Colds spread more easily indoors, so if anyone is carrying a cold, this can lead to widespread infection.

What are the common cold symptoms?

If you think you have a cold, you’ll begin to display some common symptoms, such as:

• Blocked or runny nose

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Muscle aches and pains

• A new cough

• A temperature

• Sneezing

What is the contagious period for a cold?

Your contagious period begins 1-3 days before symptoms start and lasts until your symptoms are completely gone. 

This means it’s important to practice good hygiene, hand washing, covering coughs, and limiting exposure to other people unless unavoidable, to prevent further spreading of your cold.

Flu is a more serious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. 

Like the common cold, flu is highly contagious and easily spread from person to person by germs from coughing or sneezing. 

Flu will often get better on its own, but some people may need medical attention. Getting your flu vaccine every year can significantly reduce the chances of you becoming seriously ill with the flu.

When can you catch the flu?

Influenza viruses that cause the flu circulate all year round. This means that it is possible to catch the flu at any time of the year.

Flu is most common in the Autumn and Winter months, however, with the cold and dry air allowing influenza viruses to survive longer and pass your immune system defences much the same as common colds.

Many symptoms of the flu overlap with common cold symptoms (including sore throats, coughs, and blocked noses), but there are additional symptoms that are exclusive to the flu:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Fever and chills
• Body sweats
• Nausea
• Chest discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Diarrhoea or tummy pain

The common cold and flu are both caused by viruses and can present with similar symptoms. 

The symptoms of the flu are typically more serious and likely to make you feel more ill than a typical common cold. If you are experiencing symptoms of fatigue, muscle pain, fever, body sweats and the like, these are typical hallmarks of the flu.

Flu symptoms typically tend to be more intense and come on abruptly. That’s not to say that common colds are not pleasant - if you’ve got a cold or flu, we’ve put together advice below for remedies and treatments to help you lead the charge against your illness…

Common colds and the flu typically get better on their own (there are a number of signs to keep an eye out for that signal you may need further medical advice), but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer the symptoms on your own.

Try these at-home cold and flu remedies to ease your symptoms and speed up your recovery. If your symptoms persist or get worse, please speak to a medical professional, like your GP.

Sometimes, you might need an extra hand to diagnose or treat your cold or flu. Make sure you visit your GP if any of the following apply to you:

• The symptoms are not relieved by over the counter medicines
• Symptoms persist for more than three weeks
• Symptoms suddenly get worse
• Symptoms recur frequently or seem continuous
• There is a high fever (above 38.5C)
• You have persistently painful, swollen glands or difficulty swallowing
• You have difficulty breathing
• Symptoms are unusual
• A rash is present
• You have a stiff neck
• You have earache

Cold vs Flu - Frequently Asked Questions

What causes the symptoms of colds and flu?

Viruses such as influenza that cause the flu and viruses that cause the common cold primarily attack the upper respiratory tract/system (e.g. the nose and throat).

But the symptoms of your cold and flu are primarily caused by your immune system; your immune response to destroy and remove respiratory viruses, such as flu or colds, often results in inflammation, excess mucus production, and coughs.

Why do colds and flu get worse at night?

The reason common colds and the flu feel worse at night is because of your body’s circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is often referred to as your body’s internal clock (yes, the same reason why you wake up at the same time mid-week for work) - it has an important role in a number of your bodily functions.

At night, your body typically ramps up its immune system response, which is primarily responsible for the symptoms of colds and flu, in winning the fight against your viral infection. Your circadian rhythm also means you have lower cortisol (anti-inflammatory levels) at night compared to the day, which can make inflammation-related symptoms such as dry coughs and blocked noses feel worse at night.

If you’re suffering from congestion or a blocked nose, mucus can also build up in your airways more when you are lying down, which can make breathing more difficult.

If you find your symptoms are getting worse at night, choosing to lift your pillow up can help to ease congestion, while congestion relief medicines and night cold and flu medicines can help you sleep through while your body tackles your infection.

Can I sweat out a cold or flu?

No. This is a common misbelief, as viruses aren’t released through sweat. Light exercises like walking or being in steamy environments that cause light sweating can help to offer temporary relief from congestion, but this is not a cure in of itself.

In fact, overexertion or pushing too hard with intense exercise when you first come down with a cold or flu can make symptoms, fatigue, and dehydration worse and, in turn, make your symptoms feel worse.