Influenza (flu) and the common cold are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but different viruses cause them, and their symptoms overlap so much that it can be hard — or even impossible — to tell them apart by symptoms alone. Special tests can show whether someone has flu.
Different viruses
- Flu is caused only by influenza viruses.
- Colds can be caused by many viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza and seasonal coronaviruses — which are not the same as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
How they differ
In general, flu is worse than a cold: its symptoms are more intense and begin more abruptly. Colds are milder, and people with colds more often have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally don't lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalization, but flu can have serious complications.
CDC's "Is it a cold or flu?" chart. Graphic: CDC.
| Sign or symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Symptom onset | Gradual | Abrupt |
| Fever | Rare | Usual |
| Aches | Slight | Usual |
| Chills | Uncommon | Fairly common |
| Fatigue, weakness | Sometimes | Usual |
| Sneezing | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort, cough | Mild to moderate | Common |
| Stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Headache | Rare | Common |
Flu symptoms
Flu can bring fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.
Sources
Based on "Cold Versus Flu," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. The table reproduces the page's chart.
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