Cold vs. Flu: Symptoms Explained
By Jennifer Hadley••Updated September 14, 2020
Common ColdSore ThroatThe Flu
Respiratory symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and congestion appear when you’ve come down with a cold, and when you have the flu. Since both a cold and the flu (also known as influenza) are caused by a virus, it can be challenging to determine when you need to seek medical care. Subtle differences in symptoms between the flu and the [common cold][1] may be the key to determining when it’s time to call your health care provider.
If you are diagnosed with the flu, you can use the [RxSaver tool][2] to find coupons on commonly prescribed flu medications.
[1]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/conditions/common-cold
[2]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/
What causes the common cold?
A viral infection in your nose and throat is responsible for a cold. Although numerous viruses can lead to a cold, rhinoviruses are responsible for most of them. Per the CDC, [adults in the US catch 2-3 colds per year][1], while children catch colds even more frequently.
The rhinovirus (or another virus) enters your body in one of two ways. When someone who is sick sneezes, talks, or coughs, you may contract the virus from droplets in the air, which then enter your eyes, nose, or mouth. You may also contract the virus through contact with items that someone who is sick has touched.
For example, adults may catch the virus responsible for the common cold by using a telephone after someone who is sick has used it, or from using a hand towel that someone who is sick has used. Children may catch a cold from sharing toys, playing on playgrounds, or in school or pre-school settings.
What causes the flu?
Influenza viruses are responsible for the highly contagious flu, which most often infects children and adults in the fall and winter. According to the CDC, [each year between 9.3 million and 49 million Americans will get the flu][2]. There are four types of influenza viruses: Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type D. Type A and Type B cause the majority of seasonal flu viruses.
The flu is spread from person to person, through droplets in the air after an infected person coughs, talks, or sneezes. It is also possible to catch the flu after handling an object that a sick person has handled.
Individuals who have the flu may infect others before showing symptoms. Those who have symptoms of the flu are most contagious during the first 3-4 days, though they may continue to pass the virus to others more than a week after becoming sick.
Symptoms of the Cold vs. Flu
Because a cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses, caused by viruses, they have similar symptoms, including congestion, cough, sore throat, and sneezing.
However, some symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, digestive problems, and headache are more likely to be a symptom of the flu, rather than a cold. If you’re unsure whether you have a cold or the flu, pay attention to the onset of the symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms. Flu symptoms tend to come on quickly and severely, while cold symptoms are generally slower to develop, and milder.
Fever
A fever is a common symptom of the flu but is rarely a symptom of a cold. If you’re experiencing a fever, contact your health care provider.
Sore Throat
A sore throat is a common symptom of a cold but is less common if you have the flu. However, if you have a sore throat, along with a fever, chills, or body aches, contact your health care provider.
Headache
Colds don’t tend to cause headaches as often as the flu causes a headache. If you have symptoms such as a cough, chest discomfort, fatigue, and a headache, you may have the flu. Contact your health care provider for their recommendation, or to schedule an appointment.
Stuffy Nose
A stuffy nose is often the first sign of a cold, but you may also experience this symptom if you have the flu. If you have a stuffy nose without symptoms such as fever, or body aches, you’re likely dealing with a cold.
Chest Discomfort
A tight feeling in your chest is a symptom of both a cold and the flu. Since this is a common symptom of both viral infections, be sure to monitor your other symptoms to determine if you need to contact your health care provider. If you have chest discomfort with a fever, you’re more likely dealing with the flu than a cold.
Cough
Both the flu and a cold can produce a cough, and it is a common symptom of both viral infections. If you have a cough, but no fever, aches, chills, or headache, it’s likely you have a cold. However, if your cough is accompanied by symptoms of the flu such as fever, aches, and/or chills, you should contact your health care provider.
Fatigue
The flu is known for making you feel exhausted, but a cold can also cause fatigue. Fatigue caused by a cold is generally milder than the exhaustion and weakness caused by the flu.
Body Aches
Body aches coupled with a fever are earmarks of the flu. A common cold may lead to minor aches, but severe body aches are generally a symptom of the flu.
Chills
A cold is unlikely to cause you to have chills, whereas the flu often causes chills and a fever. If you’re experiencing chills and other signs of the flu, be sure to contact your health care provider.
Sneezing
Both the flu and the common cold can cause sneezing, but it is more often a sign of a cold than the flu. If you don’t have any other symptoms of the flu, such as body aches, fatigue, or fever, but you are sneezing more than normal, you likely have a cold.
Digestive Problems
The flu can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but a cold doesn’t. If you are experiencing an upset stomach along with other symptoms, contact your health care provider for guidance.
Treatment for Colds and the Flu
If you suspect you have the flu, contact your health care provider. They may offer FDA-approved rapid flu tests. However, you don’t need to wait for these results for your doctor to prescribe antivirals which can shorten the duration of the flu. Commonly prescribed medications for treating the flu include [amantadine][3], [rimantadine][4] (Flumadine), [oseltamivir phosphate][5] (Tamiflu), and [Xofluza][6].
The [RxSaver coupon price for amantadine][7] at major retail pharmacies starts at $9.00
The [RxSaver coupon price for rimantadine][8] at major retail pharmacies starts at $15.64
The [RxSaver coupon price for oseltamivir phosphate][9] at major retail pharmacies starts at $29.49
The [RxSaver coupon price for Xofluza][10] at major retail pharmacies starts at $161.35
If you have a cold, take comfort. It will likely run its course. You may get relief from an over-the-counter medicine such as a decongestant, or cough medicine. While you’re dealing with a cold, limit your exposure to others, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. With plenty of rest, the cold will probably go away quickly.
[1]: https://www.cdc.gov/dotw/common-cold/index.html
[2]: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/faq.htm
[3]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/amantadine-hcl
[4]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/rimantadine-hydrochloride
[5]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/oseltamivir-phosphate
[6]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/xofluza
[7]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/amantadine-hcl/coupons
[8]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/rimantadine-hydrochloride/coupons
[9]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/oseltamivir-phosphate/coupons
[10]: https://rxsaver.retailmenot.com/drugs/xofluza/coupons
Recovering from a Cold or the Flu
When you begin feeling sick, contact your health care provider to schedule an office visit or telehealth appointment, and to confirm you don’t need other testing, such as for COVID-19. Follow your health care provider’s recommendations, and take any medication exactly as prescribed.
In addition, try to remain patient when dealing with a cold or the flu. It can take a bit of time to feel like yourself again. Most individuals will feel relief from flu symptoms within [3-7 days][1], and relief from a cold in [7-10 days][2]. While you’re unwell be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and get plenty of rest, to help your body fight off the bug.
Amantadine: 100 mg | 60 capsules
Rimantadine: 100 mg | 14 tablets
Oseltamivir Phosphate: 75 mg | 10 capsules
Xofluza: 40 mg | 2 tablets
*Lowest online price at national pharmacy chains Costco, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Walmart as of 9/8/2020. Prices vary by location and pharmacy, see RxSaver.com for actual pricing in your area.
[1]: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/clinical.htm#:~:text=Uncomplicated%20influenza%20signs%20and%20symptoms,those%20with%20chronic%20lung%20disease.
[2]: https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html
Jennifer Hadley
Jen Hadley is a freelance writer and journalist based in Los Angeles, who writes extensively about the medical, legal, health care, and consumer products industries. Jen is a regular contributor to RxSaver.
Carmel Fitzgerald, NP
Carmel Fitzgerald, NP, is a seasoned adult health nurse practitioner in Boston, MA with over 30 years of experience. Most recently, she was recruited to serve as the coordinator for the new Boston Medical Center Lung Cancer Screening Program. Carmel is a contributing author to numerous medical research publications. She is a member of the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, the American Heart Association and the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. She completed her BSN at the University of Massachusetts and MSN at Northeastern University both with honors.
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