Differences Between Influenza And Common Cold
Posted August 20, 2022 by Anusha ‐ 3 min read
Both seasonal flu and common cold affect your breathing system due to infection with viruses. Although many viruses cause cold, the common one is the rhinovirus. Flu, on the other hand, is caused by the influenza virus
How to find out if the symptoms are due to Cold or Flu?
Fever
High in flu and low or none in cold
Cough
Severe in flu and mild in cold
Fatigue
Can last for weeks in flu and mild in cold
Headache
Very common in flu and sometimes in cold
Chills
Common in flu and rare in cold
Aches/pains
Severe in flu and slight in cold
Stuffy, runny Nose
Common in cold and flu
Sore throat
Sometimes in flu and common in cold
Sneezing
Very common in cold and sometimes in flu
Similarities and differences between influenza and common cold
Influenza (flu) and the common cold are both contagious respiratory tract illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. They have a lot of similarities and it becomes difficult to distinguish between them. Some of the most common similarities and differences include:
Symptoms
Similarity
The symptoms of cold and flu are very similar at the onset with runny nose, headache, fatigue and difficulty in breathing.
Difference
Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu and it generally does not result in serious health problems.
Cause
Similarity
Both cold and influenza are caused by viruses.
Difference
Flu is caused by influenza viruses only, whereas the common cold can be caused by a number of other viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses.
Incubation period
Similarity
Both the diseases are highly contagious and have an incubation period (the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) of minimum 1 day before the individual starts experiencing symptoms.
Difference
The exact incubation period for influenza is 1-4 days and 1-7 days for cold.
Duration of illness
Similarity
Influenza and common cold cause respiratory tract illness ranging from 4 days to two weeks.
Difference
A cold’s duration (how long it lasts) is about 7 to 10 days; however, depending upon the viral strain, it can last up to two weeks. The flu’s duration varies from about 5 days to two weeks depending upon the severity of the infection.
Risk factors
Similarity
Both have similar risk factors i.e. younger children, old people, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk.
Difference
Individuals who do not receive the yearly flu vaccine are more likely to risk getting infected with a flu virus but there is no vaccination to prevent against common cold.
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccination?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) & Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India, annual vaccination is recommended for people who belong to the high-risk group which includes:
Pregnant women
Children in the age group of 6 months to 5 years
People above 65 years of age
People with chronic health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchial asthma, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, and cancer
People working in healthcare settings such as hospitals or labs