Colds and influenza have so many similar symptoms, they are often misdiagnosed or lumped together. This confusion often leads to improper treatment, hampering a speedy recovery. To help understand the difference, the Center has prepared the following brief guide.

Both colds and flu are respiratory infections which affect parts of the body involved with breathing. These include passages from the nose down into the lungs.

• The Common Cold
  The common cold, also called an upper respiratory infection, tends to concentrate its misery in the nose and throat. The common cold is caused by many viruses including rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, and the respiratory syncytial virus. Cold symptoms include a stuffy nose, sneezing, scratchy throat, dry cough, hoarse throat, and slight fever.
  
  Although common cold symptoms can last up to two weeks, most see symptoms dissappear within five days.
   
• The Flu
  The “flu,” caused by the influenza virus, mimics the common cold’s throat and nose symptoms but with a greater intensity. The “flu” also has a greater impact on the lungs and on other parts of the body and is generally accompanied by a sudden onset of fever, chills, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and diarrhea.

Fevers from the flu can last up to five days and quite often limit an individuals ability to work. Most begin recovering by the end of the first week, although many continue coughing and feel “washed out.”

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