Difference Between a Cold and the Flu

There is a difference between a cold and the flu. Both affect the health and mindset of individuals yet colds have milder symptoms than the flu. They both start with cold weather when the temperatures change drastically.

The flu is contagious and spreads easier than the flu. Whereas the cold is not contagious. The flu creates the achiness with fever and chills in some cases. It affects the entire body versus the cold being concentrated in the head or nose. Colds start out generally as an irritation in the nose or with a sore throat. Congestion appears within a few days as the virus spreads in the body. The flu starts without any warnings proceeding to a fever resulting the body aches and feelings of exhaustion.

The cold leaves the individual with a sore throat and runny nose that appears after a few days as the virus progresses. The fever associated with the cold is lower than with the flu that may go as high as 101 degrees. The flu causes sore or stiff muscles. The cold symptoms are concentrated in the throat and nose versus the flu having all over body aches.

The flu suffers have their stomachs affected resulting in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and are generally harsher in younger children. The cold does not have these symptoms.

The energy levels of the flu suffer is lower and effects their daily performances, leaving the individuals feeling exhausted. The cold lowers the energy levels yet not as drastic as the flu. People with colds are tired due to their bodies fighting the cold virus yet they generally can still function in most areas of their life.

Colds can last for several weeks being more of an irritant to the individuals compared to the flu suffers that are usually sick for a few days and cannot function if the flu is severe. The flu takes longer to recover from taking up to two weeks to fully recover from the virus within the body.

The cold suffers will gradually recover from their colds as the symptoms lessen into a cough and reduced runny noses and sore throat. Most individuals experience a gradual relief with lessens symptoms as time passes.

The flu suffers can have an extreme case of the flu one day yet the next day not have any symptoms other than a small amount of fatigue. They still take about a week to fully recover yet do not have the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. They will sometimes feel weak for several days after the flu reached its full capacity.

The cold in comparison to the flu is less strenuous on the body even though the symptoms last longer. The flu is harder since the symptoms ravage the body causing the body to take longer to recover.

(article by Stan Tian)