It can happen any time of year: One day you start having that annoying cough accompanied by sneezing, sore throat and runny nose. Do you have a cold or the flu? Why is it important to know? The flu and common cold are both viral respiratory illnesses that can have similar symptoms. It is sometimes difficult to tell them apart, but generally the flu is worse than the common cold. Flu symptoms usually last 1 to 2 weeks, while a cold tends to make you feel bad for just a few days. While most likely to affect us during the winter and fall months, the viruses that cause colds and the flu are around us all the time. Keeping an eye out for symptoms, avoiding potential complications, focusing on prevention, and informing yourself about available treatments will help you do what you can to keep both colds and the flu at bay all year long.

Symptoms

With a cold, it is common to have sneezing, a sore throat and a stuffy nose. These symptoms, though, all usually disappear within a week. You may feel weak with a cold, but rarely will you have the extreme exhaustion, chills, lingering body aches and/or headache that come along with the flu. Mild fevers that are only sometimes present with a cold will typically last longer with the flu and range in the higher temperatures (100°–102° F). With a cold, you may experience a moderate cough, but if it turns to chest pain that can become severe, you likely have the flu.

Complications

While complications stemming from a cold can cause sinus infections or middle ear infections, complications from the flu can potentially result in more serious health problems, such as sinusitis, pneumonia, intense ear infections and bronchitis. If severe enough, the flu can even be life-threatening and/or require hospitalization.

Prevention

To prevent catching a cold or the flu, the most effective thing you can do is wash your hands often. Also try to avoid close contact with anyone who already has a cold. In addition, you can get your annual flu shot in an attempt to protect yourself from the flu virus.

Treatment

Both illnesses are often treated with over-the-counter decongestants, pain relievers and fever-reducing medicines. In some cases, prescription antiviral drugs may also be given as flu treatment. You should consult your doctor for more information about these and other kinds of flu treatments.