Some people call everything the flu. One thing is for sure, we feel terrible when experiencing both of them. Here is a little comparison chart to assist you with clarifying what you may have.
| Key Feature | Colds | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Over 100 viral strains; commonly rhinovirus | 3 common strains of influenza virus, serotypes ABC |
| Infection Site | Upper Respiratory tract | Entire Respiratory Tract |
| Onset of symptoms | Gradual Onset 1-3 days | Sudden, within a few hours |
| Fever and Chills | Occasionally usually less than 39 degrees | Definite characteristic More than 39 degrees |
| Headache | Frequently, usually mild | Frequently, can be quite severe |
| Generalised Aches and Pains | Mild if at all | Definite Characteristic. Often severe and effecting the entire body |
| Cough, Chest congestion | Mild to moderate, with hacking cough | Quite common, may become quite severe |
| Sore Throat | Very Common, usually mild | May be present |
| Runny, Stuffy Nose | Very common, Accompanied with bouts of sneezing | May be present |
| Fatigue, weakness | Mild if at all | Yes, may be quite severe and last a few weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion | Never | Frequently, usually in the early stages |
| Seasonality | All year round, Peaks in winter | Mostly Autumn and Winter |
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net