Is it A Cold or the Flu? The Difference Explained With Pictures

Medically Reviewed by Gabriela Pichardo, MD on September 05, 2021

Over-the-counter drugs and chicken soup help both, right? Not so fast.

It’s important to learn which kind of illness you’re dealing with. That’s because the flu can have serious complications, like the lung infection pneumonia. It can even be deadly. Flu treatments work best within 48 hours of the time symptoms start. Prescription antiviral drugs may cut the time you’re sick.

If you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck, it’s probably the flu. Symptoms like sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches, congestion, and cough tend to come on suddenly. Colds are usually less intense and include a runny or stuffy nose. The flu gets better over 2 to 5 days, but you might feel run-down for a week or longer. Colds come on slowly and last up to 10 days.

While some people may get a slight fever when they have a cold, most don’t. If you have the flu, you’ll probably run a temperature of 100-104 F. Children’s flu fevers tend to be higher. Kids may also be more likely to have a fever with the common cold.

You likely start off feeling extremely tired and achy all over. That fatigue and weakness may last for up to 3 weeks — or even longer in seniors and people with long-term (chronic) diseases or a weak immune system. With a cold, you usually feel bad for just a few days.

Still, a headache that comes along with a cold, like other symptoms that result from the virus, tends to be milder than one caused by flu.

Colds and flu are respiratory illnesses, which affect your airways, so both can cause coughing.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be a complication of the flu. Call your doctor if you have a persistent cough, fever higher than 102 F and chills, a hard time breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain when you cough.

Congestion from either ailment can make your ear pressure rise. This affects the eustachian tube, which connects your throat to your middle ear.  It can cause a dull ear pain, hearing loss, and the sensation of “popping” in your ears. It usually goes away with your other symptoms.

See your doctor if the earache lasts longer than your sickness or you feel sudden, strong pain. You may have an ear infection that needs treatment.

This early symptom tends to last for 1 to 2 days. A runny and stuffy nose is also common. Sore throats come with the flu, too. But if you have it, you’ll probably be tired and have other symptoms that come on all at once.

Unless you’re also feverish, very achy, and just plain zapped of energy, you likely have a cold — although many people with the flu also say they have a stuffy nose and sneezing.

Both colds and the flu can lead to sinus infections. In addition to thick yellow or green nasal discharge, sinus infections can cause headaches and pain in the forehead, cheeks, and nasal bridge. The pain usually gets worse with sudden head movement or strain. Sometimes, you can get a secondary bacterial infection that needs antibiotic treatment.

The quickest and best way to know which illness you have is to get a test at your doctor’s office.

By taking a nasal or throat swab, your doctor can often tell if you have the flu virus, usually within 30 minutes or less. If the test shows you have the flu and your symptoms started within the last 48 hours, your doctor may suggest antiviral medicine to help you recover faster.

These medications can make you feel better and shorten your illness by 1 to 2 days — especially if you start them within 2 days of getting sick. Over-the-counter products can also lessen some symptoms like a cough and congestion. Read labels and instructions carefully so you understand what the meds do and how to take them.

Drugstore medicines like decongestants, cough suppressants, and antihistamines can help congestion, coughing, and nasal symptoms. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can treat pain or a headache.

Read the active ingredients and warnings on all product labels. Many cough and cold medicines have the same ingredients, so you could accidentally overdose unless you’re careful. Don’t give aspirin to a child under 18. Using it to treat the flu has been linked to a condition called Reye’s syndrome in kids.

Wash your hands well so you don’t spread the flu to other people. Use soap and warm water. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds. Don’t forget the areas between your fingers and around your nails. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work.

Wash often during cold and flu season, especially after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. Can’t find a tissue? Sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hands.

Get a flu shot. It’s made from proteins found on versions of last year’s flu. It helps your body be ready to recognize and fight when you’re exposed to the real thing. The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu!

The flu shot is very important for children older than 6 months, pregnant women, adults 50 and older, and people with long-term (chronic) illnesses or weak immune systems.

Some years, you can get a nasal mist version of the vaccine.

The swine flu pandemic officially ended in 2010. Vaccines protect against the swine and seasonal flus, which share many of the same symptoms: cough, sore throat, fever (although not everyone with the flu gets a fever), and body aches.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1) PhotoResearchers, Inc./Photolibrary
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4) Michelle Lance/WebMD
5) Hitoshi Nishimura/Taxi Japan
6) Michael Krasowitz/Photographer’s Choice
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10) Gustoimages / Photo Researchers, Inc.
11) Getty Images
12) Image Source
13) Jupiter Unlimited
14) David Greedy/Getty Images News
15) Celeste Romero Cano/Flickr

REFERENCES:

American Lung Association: “A Survival Guide for Preventing and Treating Influenza and the Common Cold.”

CDC: “Cold Versus Flu,” “Influenza Symptoms and Laboratory Diagnostic Procedures,” “What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs,” “Questions and Answers: Cold versus Flu,” “Questions and Answers: Swine Flu and You,” “Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu),” “CDC Clean Hands Campaign,” “Clean Hands Save Lives,” and “Stop the Spread of Germs. “

FDA: “Colds and Flu: Time Only Sure Cure,” “Hand Washing.”

National Jewish Medical and Research Center: “Is It a Cold or the Flu?”

UpToDate: “Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis of Influenza in Adults,” “The Common Cold in Adults: Diagnosis and Clinical Features,” and “The common cold in children: Clinical features and diagnosis.”

MMWR Recomm Rep: “Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines.”

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Cold & Flu Symptoms? Here’s How to Know Which One You Have

Posted On: January 25, 2018

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It’s January and you feel awful. Instead of celebrating the new year and making a list of resolutions, you’re coughing, have a splitting headache, and feel warm to the touch. Welcome to cold and flu season in Maryland. You know that your symptoms will pass, but perhaps you don’t know which of these viruses someone has shared with you. Since you need to treat a cold and flu differently, knowing the difference between them is essential.

Common Symptoms of Cold and Flu

Colds and the flu are both respiratory infections caused by a virus. If what you’re experiencing is a cold, you will have at least a few of the following symptoms:

• Body ache
• Cough
• Headache
• Mild fatigue
• Runny and/or stuffy nose

Some flu symptoms overlap with those of a cold, such as a cough. The difference is that a cold tends to produce a phlegmy cough while the cough of someone who has the flu is drier and sounds hacking. The two viruses also have headaches, stuffy nose, and runny nose in common.

Other symptoms unique to the flu include:

• Chills and shaking
• Extreme fatigue
• Fever that runs moderate to high, although not everyone who has the flu runs a fever
• Muscle pain and/or body ache that can become severe
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Vomiting

Some of the above symptoms overlap with the common cold as well except that they are typically more severe. A cold generally develops slowly over a few days and lasts one to two weeks. Symptoms of the flu usually come on suddenly and can be severe. The duration ranges from a few days to up to two weeks. If you determine that you have the flu after reading these lists, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider at UPMC Western Maryland as soon as possible for testing.

Understanding the Common Cold

According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 100 million different types of viruses can cause what we know as the common cold. Rhinovirus, the most prevalent and contagious of these viruses, is associated with colds most often. You can acquire the cold virus during any season, but it’s most common to get sick with a cold in the winter. That is because the rhinovirus and its 100 million cousins spread quickly from one person to the next and thrive in conditions of low humidity.

Cold viruses spread when someone who already has a cold sneezes or coughs. Even when the person uses a tissue or covers his or her mouth, it still releases small amounts of saliva containing the virus into the air. You can also catch a cold by touching a surface that the infected person touched and then rubbing your eyes, mouth, or nose. You’re most likely to develop a cold in the first two to four days after exposure to someone else’s virus.

There’s currently no cure for the common cold, but you can do several things to lessen the severity of your symptoms as your body fights off the infection. Non-prescription medications containing an antihistamine, acetaminophen, and decongestants can help to relieve symptoms of body aches, coughing, congestion, and other typical cold symptoms. You may also wish to increase your consumption of Vitamin C.

If your cold doesn’t resolve within 10 days or your symptoms get worse, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. It could turn out that you have something else. Practicing good hygiene and staying away from people who already have a cold are the best ways to prevent catching a cold.

Flu 101

Flu, also known as influenza, tends to follow seasonal patterns. It starts in the fall and ends in the spring with a big peak during the winter months. You acquire the flu virus the same way you pick up a cold, which is direct or indirect contact with someone who already has it. Unfortunately, you can become contagious before you have your first flu symptoms and remain that way until up to a week later.

Influenza A, B, or C viruses are responsible for spreading flu symptoms, and the first two types are the most common. Active strains of the flu change from one year to the next. This explains why the flu vaccine changes annually as well.

Symptoms that start as influenza can develop into pneumonia and other serious conditions. The risk is highest for young children, pregnant women, and older adults as well as those who already have a weakened immune system due to diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.

Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and getting a lot of rest are two good ways to treat the flu. Non-prescription pain relievers and decongestants can help as well. If your child develops the flu, don’t give him or her aspirin as it could increase the risk of developing a rare condition known as Reye’s syndrome.

You can reduce the time you’re sick with the flu by taking an antiviral medication, but you need to start taking it within 48 hours of symptom development or it won’t be effective.

Symptoms of possible pneumonia or another serious condition resulting from the flu include:

• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• A cough that produces green mucus
• High fever that doesn’t resolve with medication
• Severely sore throat

The symptoms to look for in children include:

• Breathing difficulty
• Extreme fatigue and/or difficulty waking up
• Irritability
• Lack of interaction with family

These issues require prompt medical attention, which could require going to the emergency room or one of our urgent care centers, depending on time of day and severity of symptoms.

UPMC Western Maryland recommends that all people over age six months receive an annual flu shot as early in the season as possible. Please ask your primary care provider for possible exceptions if you’re concerned that you’re not healthy enough to receive the vaccine.

Please note, the information provided throughout this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and video, on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. If you are experiencing relating symptoms, please visit your doctor or call 9-1-1 in an emergency. 

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what to drink and how to treat, the main reasons, how long it can last

Colds can be caused by different viruses, so the symptoms can be very different, and a headache is not at all necessary, but quite a common symptom. With influenza, the patient most often complains of pain in the frontal region and temples, in the eyeballs ¹ . With SARS caused by the RS virus, adenovirus infection or parainfluenza, headache is also common, but not so severe ² . With acute respiratory infections provoked by rhinovirus, headache, as a rule, does not bother.

Causes of cold headaches in adults

Experts divide headache into primary and secondary.

Primary occurs on its own, it accounts for 90% of all headaches. This includes tension headaches and migraines. Migraine is usually inherited. Tension headache occurs under the influence of stress factors, overwork, constant tension of the neck muscles. But osteochondrosis or “pinching of the vessels of the neck” will never be the cause of the primary headache.

Secondary is a consequence and symptom of a disease. For example, such pain may be associated with an infectious process or occur against the background of the start or withdrawal of drugs (analgesics, as a rule), or associated with lesions of the upper respiratory tract. Secondary headache also occurs after a concussion and very rarely – as a manifestation of a growing tumor in the head.

As for the headache caused by a cold, it is caused by toxins released by viruses. These waste products of viruses irritate the pain receptors of the brain, and a person gets discomfort in the forehead or temples. Plus, a runny nose and nasal congestion aggravate this condition: nasal breathing is difficult, the brain lacks oxygen, and this only increases the headache.

How long does a headache with a cold last in adults

Signs of general intoxication of the body with ARVI, which usually include a headache, are most pronounced in the first 2-4 days from the onset of the disease ³ . And the symptoms usually disappear completely by 7-10 days.

Headache with a cold in adults usually does not last long, so if the discomfort continues to torment you for more than 4-5 days, and the intensity of the pain increases, in addition, uncontrollable vomiting joins, you should consult a doctor about this.

How to treat a headache with a cold

The main principle of ARVI treatment is timeliness. But this does not mean that as soon as a stuffy nose and a sore throat appear, you need to take serious drugs, and even more so antibiotics. Treatment should be prescribed only by a specialist, so you should not delay visiting a doctor until it gets worse.

If signs of acute respiratory viral infections appear, we are treated symptomatically at home – take the temperature if it is above 38 degrees, wash the nose, gargle, or use anesthetic lozenges and spray. It is imperative to establish an optimal microclimate at home: the temperature in the room should be 18-22 degrees, it is advisable to carry out wet cleaning several times a day or turn on a humidifier, it is also necessary to ventilate the room.

There is currently no effective antiviral drug, except for influenza drugs. Antibiotics for ARVI are usually generally useless ³ .

There are many ways to get rid of excruciating headaches.

Tablets

Medicines in tablets can be used for cold headaches. The most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen and medicines based on it) ⁴ . NSAIDs have not only an antipyretic effect, but also an analgesic effect. In addition, you can use Paracetamol (and preparations based on it), which is not classified as an NSAID, but is an antipyretic analgesic, in other words, does not relieve inflammation, but fights pain and fever ⁴ . Do not forget to read the instructions and do not exceed the maximum daily dosage.

Compresses

A simple wet compress can help relieve headaches – especially if you prefer not to be treated with a lot of medicines at the same time. It is optimal that the room where you are is quiet, fresh and not too light. However, there is an important point: a wet compress can be used if there is no high temperature.

By the way, sleep and plenty of fluids are free, but very effective remedies.

Antivirals

Antivirals are also used to treat influenza and SARS. They help shorten the duration of illness in uncomplicated cases and reduce the risk of complications requiring antimicrobial therapy and hospitalization. True, they reduce headaches weakly, and are more aimed at a general improvement in well-being ⁵ .

Combination analgesics

In fact, various “pops” and instant powders are a palatable and more expensive form of paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is these components that are the main active ingredients in the composition of various powders. That is, it’s a matter of taste: you can choose budget Paracetamol, or you can choose a delicious powder to dissolve in water and drink. In addition, these powders contain vasoconstrictor components that reduce nasal congestion. And this, in turn, helps reduce headaches.

However, these powders and pops can increase blood pressure, cause nausea, allergic reactions, and other unpleasant side effects. Therefore, before buying this or that remedy, it is advisable to get advice from a doctor and not exceed daily dosages.

Popular Questions and Answers

The common cold, with all its unpleasant and painful symptoms, often raises many questions. Why does my head hurt and won’t go away? How can you help yourself quickly? The most popular questions are answered by general practitioner, cardiologist Arina Zhegalina .

Why doesn’t my headache go away with a cold?

– Because the virus actively multiplies in the body and releases toxins, which, in turn, affect pain receptors. As you recover, the headache will go away, but if there is no desire to endure, paracetamol or ibuprofen (or preparations based on them) will come to the rescue.

Why can the left or right side of the head hurt when I have a cold?

– It depends solely on the individual characteristics and sensitivity of the person.

What can you drink to quickly relieve a headache when you have a cold?

– An antipyretic drug that also has an analgesic effect. Necessarily under the recommendation of the doctor after internal consultation.

Sources:

1. Acute respiratory viral diseases: modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Derbeneva M.L., Guseva A.L. Medical Council, 2019. No. 20. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ostrye-respiratornye-virusnye-zabolevaniya-sovremennye-podhody-k-diagnostike-i-lecheniyu
2. Modern principles of diagnosis and treatment of SARS. Kupchenko A.N., Ponezheva Zh.B. Archive of internal medicine. No. 1 (27), 2016. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovremennye-printsipy-diagnostiki-i-lecheniya-orvi
3. Anti-inflammatory effects of fenspiride: decisive in the choice of therapy for acute respiratory diseases. Berdnikova N.G., Maltseva N.A., Demidova G.V., Klimova O.Yu. Consilium Medicum. Volume 19. No. 3. 2017. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/protivovospalitelnye-effekty-fenspirida-reshayuschee-znachenie-v-vybore-terapii-ostryh-respiratornyh-zabolevaniy
4. Infectious diseases. Zmushko E.I., Shpulava E.P., Belyaeva T.V. 2015. P. 736 https://library.sammi.uz/Library/Rus%20tilidagi%20adabiyotlar/%D0%98%D0%BD%D1%84%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%86%D0% B8%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BD%D0% B8/%D1%88%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%20%2C%D0%B7%D0%BC%D1%83 %D1%88%D0%BA%D0%BE.pdf
5. Symptomatic therapy for acute respiratory viral infections. Prokhorovich E.A. Medical Bulletin. No. 36. 2011. https://medi.ru/info/12014/

Headache with a cold: what to do

1. Why does my head hurt with a cold?
   • At temperature
   • For colds
   • For nausea
2. Types of headache in acute respiratory infections
3. How to treat a headache with a cold

Image by Subbotina Anna on Shutterstock

Colds are characterized by a number of symptoms, including headaches and muscle pain. A severe headache with colds and flu aggravates the course of the disease and worsens well-being. In severe cases, they are accompanied by intolerance to bright light, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, convulsions. It is important to monitor your condition and, if necessary, consult a doctor in a timely manner. He will conduct an examination and determine the cause of the pathology.

Why does my head hurt when I have a cold?

The cause of pain is intoxication of the body. Colds are caused by viruses or bacteria. Pathogenic microbes multiply and release toxins that accumulate in the body. When infected, the production of prostaglandins increases. These substances act on different organs and systems, resulting in headaches, body temperature rises, pains in bones and muscles appear.

At

Often patients report a severe headache during a cold with a temperature. Prostagladins, which are actively produced by the body, contribute to the appearance of fever and pain. As the immune system fights the infectious agent and produces antibodies, unpleasant symptoms decrease, including soreness.

In mild forms of acute respiratory infections, when the temperature reaches 37-38 C ° and the immune system is actively fighting a cold, relief of pain symptoms occurs in 3-4 days. The person feels much better, as the period of severe intoxication ends. If the temperature rises to 39-40 C °, accompanied by severe headaches and does not subside for a long time, this indicates severe intoxication and the possible development of complications.

In addition, against the background of elevated temperature, blood pressure rises, which aggravates the patient’s condition. In this case, the doctor will definitely prescribe antihypertensive drugs that will help reduce it.

For colds

Nasal congestion in acute respiratory infections is a typical symptom and one of the main reasons why the head hurts. Nasal congestion occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane. In this condition, the nasal passages narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Less oxygen enters the lungs. This negatively affects the general well-being, causes weakness, as well as a headache. In this case, it arises not only from intoxication of the body, but also from a lack of oxygen.

For nausea

Viral infections cause negative changes in the functioning of various organs and systems. In addition to the respiratory tract, the digestive organs suffer. For example, with influenza, gastrointestinal disorders are often observed, which are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea. To them are added headaches, weakness, body aches, nasal congestion, fever, traditional for ARVI and ARI. This condition is difficult to tolerate, especially if the patient has serious chronic diseases or the person is at risk due to age.

Types of headache in acute respiratory infections

Headache with a cold depends on the type of disease and the severity of its course. By identifying the localization of the pain focus, the doctor can determine what is causing the discomfort and how to eliminate it.

The types of headache, as well as its characteristics, depend on its location and the nature of the course:

• Soreness in the temples. The cause of this symptom is elevated body temperature. Antipyretics are recommended for the treatment of headaches with colds and fevers.
• Aching or throbbing pain in forehead. May indicate acute frontal sinusitis. This disease is a type of sinusitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinus. With frontal inflammation, the focus of inflammation is localized in the tissues of the mucous membrane of the frontal sinus (behind the superciliary arches), which leads to pain, the appearance of purulent discharge from the nose, lacrimation, and an increase in temperature up to 39C °. The pain is most pronounced in the first half of the day, aggravated by tilting and turning the head.
• Pain in the occipital region. It may be a sign of sphenoiditis – inflammation of the sphenoid sinus, which is located at the base of the skull. This condition is accompanied by an increase in temperature, the flow of pus along the back of the pharynx.

How to treat a headache with a cold

The method of how to relieve a headache with a cold depends on the cause of the appearance. If the head hurts due to a high temperature, the patient’s condition will improve taking the drug based on ibuprofen or paracetamol. These components have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

To get rid of a headache with a cold, which is accompanied by nasal congestion, drugs will help. The medicine can be chosen in the form of drops or a spray that constricts blood vessels, cleanses the nasal cavities of mucus and pus, and restores nasal breathing. These are effective vasoconstrictors that quickly relieve nasal congestion, but they should not be abused.