A cold vs. the flu

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses may have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

“In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations,” comments Anne Thomas, Health director at Dare County Department of Public Health.

Any respiratory illness could be the flu if associated with fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. (Flu viruses are most common during the colder months of the year.)However, influenza can also occur outside of the typical flu season. In addition, other viruses can also cause respiratory illness similar to the flu. If your doctor needs to know for sure whether you have the flu, there are laboratory tests that can be done to assist in the determination of diagnosis.

For more information about the difference between the common cold and the flu, contact the Dare County Department of Public Health at 475-5003 or visit

www.cdc.gov/flu.