Cold or Flu? How to Tell the Difference

You wake up with a sore throat, a stuffy nose, and that unmistakable feeling that something just isn’t right. Before long, you’re reaching for the tissues and asking yourself, is this a cold or the flu?

It’s a common question, especially during the fall and winter months. Colds and influenza (flu) are both respiratory illnesses, and they can cause some of the same symptoms. But they’re caused by different viruses, and flu symptoms tend to be more intense.

Knowing the common differences between a cold vs. flu can help you better understand your symptoms, know when it may be time to contact a health care Provider, and give your body the care and rest it needs.

Cold vs. Flu: What’s the Difference?

The common cold and flu may feel similar at first, but they aren’t the same illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu symptoms are generally more intense than cold symptoms. Colds tend to be milder, and people with colds are more likely to experience a runny or stuffy nose.

Another clue is how quickly you begin feeling sick.

Cold symptoms typically develop more gradually. Flu symptoms, on the other hand, often come on suddenly. You might feel relatively normal one morning and find yourself dealing with fatigue, aches, a headache, cough, or fever later that day.

However, symptoms alone can’t always tell you for certain which illness you have. Testing may sometimes be needed to confirm influenza.

Cold vs. Flu Symptoms

Although every person can experience respiratory illnesses differently, certain symptoms tend to be more closely associated with one illness than the other.

These are general patterns rather than a way to diagnose yourself. Not everyone with flu develops every symptom, and the CDC specifically notes that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

What Does a Cold Usually Feel Like?

A common cold often develops gradually.

You might first notice a scratchy or sore throat before congestion, sneezing, or a runny nose appears. A cough may develop as well. While you might feel tired or generally under the weather, cold symptoms tend to be milder than flu symptoms.

One of the biggest clues is your nose: stuffy and runny noses are more commonly associated with colds than flu.

Most colds generally do not lead to serious health problems. Still, pay attention to how you’re feeling and contact a health care Provider if you’re concerned about your symptoms or they become severe.

What Does the Flu Usually Feel Like?

Flu often makes a much more dramatic entrance.

Symptoms can appear suddenly and may include fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, and significant fatigue. Some people may also experience vomiting or diarrhea, although the CDC notes these symptoms are more common in children.

Flu can also lead to more serious complications, which is one reason it’s important not to assume that a particularly difficult respiratory illness is “just a cold.”

If you’re uncertain about what you have, especially if your symptoms are severe, worsening, or concerning, contact a health care Provider.

When Does Flu Season Start?

If it feels like everyone around you starts coughing and reaching for tissues once the weather cools down, there’s a reason.

In the United States, flu viruses circulate throughout the year, but activity typically increases during the fall and winter. Historically, flu activity often begins increasing in October and November, most commonly peaks between December and February, and can continue into May.

There isn’t an exact date when flu season starts every year. The timing, length, and severity can vary from one season to another and between different parts of the country.

That makes the fall a good time to become more mindful of everyday habits that can help you and your family navigate respiratory illness season.

Caring for Yourself When You’re Sick

When you’re feeling under the weather, sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is give your body an opportunity to rest.

That may mean slowing down, getting adequate sleep, drinking fluids, and paying attention to your symptoms. If you’re sick, staying home can also help reduce the chance of spreading illness to others. The CDC advises that most people with mild flu can recover at home and should avoid contact with others except when seeking medical care.

There’s a lesson in stewardship here, too. Our bodies aren’t machines that always operate at full speed. Caring for ourselves sometimes means recognizing when we need rest and allowing ourselves the time to recover.

As 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Caring for our health can be one small way of honoring what God has entrusted to us.

When Should You Contact a Health Care Provider?

Sometimes it’s difficult, or even impossible, to distinguish a cold from flu based on symptoms alone. Tests can help determine whether influenza is causing your illness.

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, they’re becoming worse, or you’re unsure about the appropriate next step, contact a health care Provider. Seeking guidance can be especially important for people who may be at increased risk of complications from respiratory illnesses.

And if something feels seriously wrong or you believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colds and Flu

How Can You Tell If You Have a Cold or the Flu?

Consider both the type of symptoms and how quickly they appeared. Colds usually develop gradually and commonly involve sneezing and a stuffy or runny nose. Flu tends to appear more suddenly and is more commonly associated with fever, body aches, headaches, chills, and significant fatigue. However, symptoms overlap, so testing may sometimes be needed to know for sure.

Can You Have the Flu Without a Fever?

Yes. Although fever is commonly associated with influenza, not everyone with flu develops one.

Which Is Worse, a Cold or the Flu?

Flu is generally more intense than the common cold and can result in serious complications. Colds are typically milder.

When Does Flu Season Start?

Flu activity in the United States often begins increasing in October and November, with activity most commonly peaking between December and February. Flu activity can continue into May, and the timing varies from year to year.

Can a Health Care Provider Tell Whether I Have a Cold or the Flu?

Because the symptoms can overlap, it isn’t always possible to distinguish them based on symptoms alone. Testing can help determine whether you have influenza.

Caring for Our Health and One Another

Whether you’re dealing with a stuffy nose or suddenly find yourself knocked down by flu-like symptoms, being sick has a way of reminding us that our health deserves our attention.

Caring for your body means more than what you do when you feel your best. It also means recognizing when you need rest, asking for help when you need it, and seeking appropriate care when something doesn’t feel right.

It can also mean caring for the people around us. Staying home when we’re sick, checking in on a family member who isn’t feeling well, or simply offering a prayer for someone going through a difficult week are small ways we can live out the call to “carry each other’s burdens” found in Galatians 6:2.

At OneShare Health, we believe we’re Better Together. As a Health Care Sharing Ministry, our community of Members is built around the biblical principles of caring for ourselves and caring for one another.

Get a quote today and speak with a OneShare Health specialist to find the right Program for you.