7 Flu Symptoms and How – or if – They Differ From a Cold

Is this time of the year cold season or flu season? Truth is, it’s both. And the confusion between these two sicknesses doesn’t end there.

Flu, short for influenza, is a family of related viruses that cause a specific group of unpleasant symptoms.

Confusion enters the picture because other disease organisms – like cold viruses – can cause flu-like symptoms. So it can be hard to know for sure what illness you may be dealing with.

Several symptoms are common between the flu and colds:

Fever– Fevers tend to come on more quickly with higher temperatures with the flu.

Chills – Chills are much more common with flu because fevers from flu tend to be higher.

Exhaustion – While a cold may make you tired, the flu will make you absolutely exhausted. If you are tired enough to want to stay in bed, it could be either one. If you feel too exhausted to blink, it very well could be the flu.

Body aches and headache– Body aches are more common with the flu. This is one big clue to differentiate between a cold and the flu. Throbbing headaches are common with the flu.

Cough– A dry cough or one that produces thick yellow or green phlegm could be either flu or a cold.

Nasal and sinus congestion– More common with a cold. Usually less intense with the flu.

Vomiting and diarrhea – Not very common with the flu, but by no means do these symptoms rule out influenza infection.

The Best Way to Avoid Getting Sick

Flu and colds are caused by microscopic invaders, so you may wonder, “Why not give antibiotics to everyone with flu-like symptoms?” Antibiotics do not kill viruses. So, if you feel miserable with the flu and your doctor doesn’t give you antibiotics, this is why.

You then may wonder, “Why worry about the virus if we can’t kill it? Why not just treat the symptoms and ride it out?” For some of these illnesses, that is the only option. However, influenza can be really nasty.

So, what can you do? Get a flu shot every year.

How the Flu Vaccine Is Made

Vaccines help your body recognize and fight particular viruses. But getting the flu vaccine will not 100 percent guarantee that you won’t get the flu.

There are four types of influenza. Influenza A causes roughly 75 percent of flu infections in people. Influenza B makes up the other 25 percent, but there are only two strains of influenza B. Influenza C does infect humans, but is so mild it's not included in immunizations. Influenza D does not infect humans.

Viruses are very good at swapping DNA and creating new varieties. Influenza A has around 200 different strains, and even those tend to subdivide slightly. That’s too many different vaccines to produce. So scientists study the strains of influenza A in the population to identify the biggest threats in the coming year. Because viruses can swap DNA fast, making new strains, or a minor strain can become dominant, you can still get the flu.

Even so, if you get a flu shot, there is a better chance you will get by this year without the flu. Furthermore, as one of millions who get a flu vaccine this season, you help minimize the spread of the flu among everyone.

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