tend to come on more suddenly than cold symptoms. While both illnesses can cause sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat, the flu is usually accompanied by a fever and chills. Unlike a cold, the flu can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to avoid getting the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine. Since both colds and flu are contagious, practicing good hygiene — including washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth — can reduce the risk of catching and transmitting these viruses.

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There is no cure for either the cold or the flu, though symptoms can be treated with pain relievers, rest, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter medications. Prescription antiviral medicines exist that can shorten the duration of the flu, but these are generally only recommended for people at high risk for complications.

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Cold & Flu

Cold & Flu

by
The common cold and the flu (influenza) are both contagious viral illnesses that affect the upper respiratory system. While some of their symptoms overlap, a cold is usually milder than the flu. There is no way to cure colds or the flu, but there are ways to avoid catching the viruses that cause them.

Common Questions & Answers

How do cold and flu symptoms differ?

Flu symptoms tend to come on more suddenly than cold symptoms. While both illnesses can cause sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat, the flu is usually accompanied by a fever and chills. Unlike a cold, the flu can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to avoid getting the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine. Since both colds and flu are contagious, practicing good hygiene — including washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth — can reduce the risk of catching and transmitting these viruses.

There is no cure for either the cold or the flu, though symptoms can be treated with pain relievers, rest, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter medications. Prescription antiviral medicines exist that can shorten the duration of the flu, but these are generally only recommended for people at high risk for complications.

Meet Our Experts In Cold & Flu
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Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up-to-date, and accurate.
Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Allison Buttarazzi, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, and is a certified health and well-being coach. In her primary care practice, Dr. Buttarazzi focuses on lifestyle medicine to help her patients improve their health and longevity, and her passion is helping patients prevent and reverse chronic diseases (like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes) by improving their lifestyle habits.

She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine and completed a residency at Maine Medical Center. Diagnosed with celiac disease during medical school, she realized the power of improving one's health through diet and lifestyle habits, which she later incorporated into her practice.

See full bio
Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Allison Buttarazzi, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, and is a certified health and well-being coach. In her primary care practice, Dr. Buttarazzi focuses on lifestyle medicine to help her patients improve their health and longevity, and her passion is helping patients prevent and reverse chronic diseases (like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes) by improving their lifestyle habits.

She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine and completed a residency at Maine Medical Center. Diagnosed with celiac disease during medical school, she realized the power of improving one's health through diet and lifestyle habits, which she later incorporated into her practice.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Cold vs. Flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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