Cold vs. Flu: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
The common cold typically causes mild symptoms like runny nose and sore throat, while the flu causes severe symptoms like high fever and body aches.
Key Differences
The common cold, a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, is generally milder than the flu. It often manifests as a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. In contrast, the flu, caused by the influenza virus, tends to present more severe symptoms such as high fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Both affect the respiratory system but differ in intensity and potential complications.
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Nov 18, 2023
Duration is a key differentiator between the cold and the flu. Colds typically resolve within a week or so, with symptoms peaking around the third or fourth day. On the other hand, flu symptoms can last longer and may lead to more serious health issues, including pneumonia. While both can be uncomfortable, the flu’s impact on one's daily life is usually more significant.
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Nov 18, 2023
Treatment approaches for colds and the flu also differ. Over-the-counter medications and rest are often sufficient for managing cold symptoms. However, the flu might require antiviral drugs if diagnosed early. Both conditions benefit from hydration and rest, but the flu might necessitate more intensive medical care, especially in high-risk individuals.
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Nov 18, 2023
Preventative measures for the cold and flu include frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. However, the flu has an added layer of prevention in the form of annual vaccines, which are recommended due to the potential severity of the illness. Both can be contagious, but flu tends to have a higher rate of transmission and severity.
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Nov 18, 2023
The onset of symptoms is another distinguishable factor. Cold symptoms typically develop gradually, over a few days. Flu symptoms, conversely, often appear abruptly and intensely. This sudden onset can quickly lead to severe health deterioration, unlike the more gradual progression of a common cold.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Symptom Severity
Mild (e.g., sneezing, runny nose)
Severe (e.g., high fever, body aches)
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Cold and Flu Definitions
Cold
A common viral infection affecting nose and throat;
I caught a cold and can't stop sneezing.
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Nov 17, 2023
Flu
A metaphor for a rapid spread of something;
Panic spread through the crowd like the flu.
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Nov 17, 2023
Cold
Lacking affection or warmth;
His cold demeanor made it hard to approach him.
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Nov 17, 2023
Flu
A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses;
She was bedridden with the flu for a week.
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Nov 17, 2023
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Flu
Informal term for influenza;
Flu season is approaching, time to get vaccinated.
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Nov 17, 2023
Flu
A general sense of fatigue or disorientation;
I've got the flu and can't concentrate.
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Nov 17, 2023
Flu
Used to describe a sudden occurrence;
His decision to leave was out of the blue, like catching the flu.
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Nov 17, 2023
Cold
Being at a temperature that is less than what is required or what is normal
Cold oatmeal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flu
Any of several infections that affect the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract and are caused by viruses other than the influenza virus.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Feeling no warmth; uncomfortably chilled
We were cold sitting by the drafty windows.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Designating or being in a tone or color, such as pale gray, that suggests little warmth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Exhibiting or feeling no enthusiasm
A cold audience.
A cold response to the new play.
A concert that left me cold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Having lost all freshness or vividness through passage of time
Dogs attempting to catch a cold scent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Characterized by repeated failure, especially in a sport or competitive activity
The team fell into a slump of cold shooting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Without advance preparation or introduction
Took the exam cold and passed.
Walked in cold and got the new job.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
A condition of low air temperature; cold weather
Went out into the cold and got a chill.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
A viral infection characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory passages and usually accompanied by malaise, fever, chills, coughing, and sneezing. Also called common cold, coryza.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(of a thing) Having a low temperature.
A cold wind whistled through the trees.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(of the weather) Causing the air to be cold.
The forecast is that it will be very cold today.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(of a person or animal) Feeling the sensation of coldness, especially to the point of discomfort.
She was so cold she was shivering.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Unfriendly; emotionally distant or unfeeling.
She shot me a cold glance before turning her back.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Dispassionate; not prejudiced or partisan; impartial.
Let's look at this tomorrow with a cold head.
He's a nice guy, but the cold facts say we should fire him.
The cold truth is that states rarely undertake military action unless their national interests are at stake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Completely unprepared; without introduction.
He was assigned cold calls for the first three months.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Unconscious or deeply asleep; deprived of the metaphorical heat associated with life or consciousness.
I knocked him out cold.
After one more beer he passed out cold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(usually with "have" or "know" transitively) Perfectly, exactly, completely; by heart; down pat.
Practice your music scales until you know them cold.
Try both these maneuvers until you have them cold and can do them in the dark without thinking.
Rehearse your lines until you have them down cold.
Keep that list in front of you, or memorize it cold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(usually with "have" transitively) Cornered; done for.
With that receipt, we have them cold for fraud.
Criminal interrogation. Initially they will dream up explanations faster than you could ever do so, but when they become fatigued, often they will acknowledge that you have them cold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Affecting the sense of smell (as of hunting dogs) only feebly; having lost its odour.
A cold scent
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Cold
Distant; said, in the game of hunting for some object, of a seeker remote from the thing concealed. Compare warm and hot.
You're cold … getting warmer … hot! You've found it!
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(databases) Rarely used or accessed, and thus able to be relegated to slower storage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(informal) Without compassion; heartless; ruthless.
I can't believe she said that...that was cold!
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
A harsh place; a place of abandonment.
The former politician was left out in the cold after his friends deserted him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
(medicine) A common, usually harmless, viral illness, usually with congestion of the nasal passages and sometimes fever.
I caught a miserable cold and had to stay home for a week
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Without preparation.
The speaker went in cold and floundered for a topic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Deprived of heat, or having a low temperature; not warm or hot; gelid; frigid.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Lacking the sensation of warmth; suffering from the absence of heat; chilly; shivering; as, to be cold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Wanting in ardor, intensity, warmth, zeal, or passion; spiritless; unconcerned; reserved.
A cold and unconcerned spectator.
No cold relation is a zealous citizen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Wanting in power to excite; dull; uninteresting.
What a deal of cold business doth a man misspend the better part of life in!
The jest grows cold . . . when in comes on in a second scene.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Affecting the sense of smell (as of hunting dogs) but feebly; having lost its odor; as, a cold scent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Not sensitive; not acute.
Smell this business with a sense as coldAs is a dead man's nose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Distant; - said, in the game of hunting for some object, of a seeker remote from the thing concealed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Having a bluish effect. Cf. Warm, 8.
He was slain in cold blood after the fight was over.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
The sensation produced by the escape of heat; chilliness or chillness.
When she saw her lord prepared to part,A deadly cold ran shivering to her heart.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
A morbid state of the animal system produced by exposure to cold or dampness; a catarrh.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
A mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs);
Will they never find a cure for the common cold?
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
The absence of heat;
The coldness made our breath visible
Come in out of the cold
Cold is a vasoconstrictor
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
The sensation produced by low temperatures;
He shivered from the cold
The cold helped clear his head
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Used of physical coldness; having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration;
A cold climate
A cold room
Dinner has gotten cold
Cold fingers
If you are cold, turn up the heat
A cold beer
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Extended meanings; especially of psychological coldness; without human warmth or emotion;
A cold unfriendly nod
A cold and unaffectionate person
A cold impersonal manner
Cold logic
The concert left me cold
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Having lost freshness through passage of time;
A cold trail
Dogs attempting to catch a cold scent
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Marked by errorless familiarity;
Had her lines cold before rehearsals started
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Without compunction or human feeling;
In cold blood
Cold-blooded killing
Insensate destruction
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Feeling or showing no enthusiasm;
A cold audience
A cold response to the new play
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Oct 19, 2023
Cold
Unconscious from a blow or shock or intoxication;
The boxer was out cold
Pass out cold
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What are common flu symptoms?
High fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can colds be prevented?
Frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with sick people can reduce risk.
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Nov 18, 2023
Should I see a doctor for a cold?
Usually not, unless symptoms are severe or persistent.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is the flu vaccine effective?
Yes, it reduces the risk of flu and its severity.
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Nov 18, 2023
How long is the flu contagious?
Typically up to a week after symptoms start.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can colds lead to other health problems?
Rarely, they can lead to sinus or ear infections.
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Nov 18, 2023
How can I tell if it's a cold or flu?
Flu symptoms are usually more severe and come on suddenly.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are children more susceptible to colds?
Yes, due to their less mature immune systems.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are antibiotics effective for colds or flu?
No, antibiotics don't work against viruses.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are flu symptoms different in children?
They can include vomiting and diarrhea, which are less common in adults.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is it safe to exercise with a cold?
Mild to moderate physical activity is usually fine.
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Nov 18, 2023
What are flu complications?
Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections.
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Nov 18, 2023
What are the best treatments for flu?
Rest, hydration, and possibly antiviral medications.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a flu shot cause side effects?
Minor side effects like soreness at the injection site are possible.
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Nov 18, 2023
How often should I get the flu vaccine?
Annually, as flu viruses change every year.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does cold weather affect colds?
It doesn't directly cause colds, but may contribute to their spread.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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