There's a lot of overlap between cold and flu symptoms. We'll help you figure out whether that bug you're fighting is cold or flu and how to tackle it so you can start feeling better sooner.
While both the common cold and the flu are respiratory illnesses, they are not caused by the same viruses. Although colds are definitely inconvenient, they are far less likely to develop into anything more serious, as the flu can.
Generally, colds are milder than the flu, and are more likely to cause runny or stuffy noses (this isn't to say that the flu can't cause stuffy or runny noses, it's simply less likely to do so).[] You won't feel good, but you'll probably be able to do some or all of your daily tasks (not that you should: you should try to rest if you can). The flu, on the other hand, will hit you harder, making it difficult to go to work or care for the kids.
Broadly speaking, the flu often feels worse than a cold: you might experience the same symptoms but amplified. The flu comes with more pain and fever than a cold. Common symptoms of flu symptoms include sore throat, chills, fever, runny or stuffy nose, muscle fatigue or aches and headaches. The flu can also develop into more serious conditions and complications, making it more dangerous than the average cold.