Flu and the cold are both caused by different viruses.
Generally Colds are milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.
- Flu generally starts with a dry throat and nose; a cold generally starts with a runny nose
- Flu gives rise to a high-grade fever; a cold may give rise to a mild fever
- Both infections are highly endemic and can be easily spread from close contact with someone who has the virus, such as breathing in droplets of air when someone coughs or sneezes.
- Flu can cause muscle and whole-body ache; colds affect the nose and throat
- Flu may lead to severe exhaustion; colds, mild exhaustion
- Flu may lead to severe chest discomfort and cough; cold leads to mild to moderate chest discomfort, hacking cough
- Flu can lead to more severe complications, such as pneumonia, which is life- threatening; whereas cold in severe cases causes sinus congestion and infection