Most viral respiratory infections, like the common cold, usually come and go within a few days, with no lasting effects but influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs and can cause serious health problems and can result in hospitalization or death.
If you are generally healthy, here’s how to tell if you have a cold or the flu, and when to seek medical care.
Symptoms of Colds and Flu
Flu and cold viruses spread mainly by droplets, when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. You also can get infected by touching a surface or object that has flu viruses on it, such as a door handle, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Flu season in the United States may begin as early as October and can last as late as May, and generally peaks between December and February.
Colds: Symptoms of colds usually are a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. Other symptoms include coughing, a scratchy throat, and watery eyes. There is no vaccine to prevent colds, which come on gradually and often spread through everyday contact.
Flu: Symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and can include fever, headache, chills, dry cough, sore throat, body or muscle aches, tiredness, and feeling generally miserable. Like the viruses that cause a cold, flu viruses can cause a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Young children also may experience nausea and vomiting.
Check with your health care provider promptly if you are at high risk for flu-related complications and you have flu symptoms — or if you have flu symptoms that do not improve. People at high risk include:
- Children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than age 2
- Pregnant women
- People with certain chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease)
- People age 65 or older
January 2, 2020