You’re sick – you can feel the symptoms starting and you’re thinking has turned to the commitments you might have to cancel in the coming days. How can you tell if it’s just a cold or something potentially more serious? Does it even matter what you have?
Colds and influenza (flu) are both viral respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. In fact, many different viruses can cause what we might call a ‘common cold’ and there are a lot of different variations of the influenza virus.
In general, the symptoms of influenza are more severe and last longer than those of a cold.
What is the difference in symptoms between a cold and the flu
The symptoms of flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and pains, headache and fatigue (tiredness). Vomiting and diarrhoea can also accompany the flu, though this is more common in children.
See the table below for a breakdown of cold and flu symptoms. Keep in mind that symptoms and their severity may vary with age and health status.
Symptoms | Flu | Cold |
Runny nose or nasal congestion |
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Sneezing |
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Sore throat |
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Fever |
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Cough |
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Headache |
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Aches and pains |
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Fatigue |
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Nausea and vomiting |
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While no virus is pleasant to catch, the flu can be much more severe than a cold and lead to potentially life-threatening complications, so it’s important to know what to do when you are sick and how to limit the virus from spreading to others.
Who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from influenza
Some people are more likely to get very sick from catching influenza, though it can cause serious illness in anyone.
People at high risk include the elderly, young children, pregnant people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with existing medical conditions such as heart or lung diseases and diabetes.
These people should talk to their doctor about when to get vaccinated ahead of the flu season and what to do if they become ill.
Treatment for colds and flu
Antibiotics don’t work against a cold or flu because they target bacteria rather than viruses.
Instead, you can treat yourself at home by:
- getting plenty of rest and sleep (this means staying home from work or school)
- drinking plenty of fluids (particularly water)
- and if you have a sore throat, eating soft foods that are easy to swallow.
If you don’t experience any complications, or have high risk factors for complications, treatment of the flu requires no prescription medication. Over-the-counter medication is available to help relieve headaches, muscles aches and fever, and while these won’t cure your illness, they may make you feel more comfortable.
In certain cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine to reduce the duration and severity of your symptoms. This type of medication is most effective when taken at the start of an infection, so it’s important to tell your doctor quickly if you are high-risk and think you have the flu.
Regardless of whether you are high-risk, see your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if you have a cough and high fever (38°C or more) that is not improving, trouble breathing, chest pain, or if you have any other concerns about your symptoms.
Stop the spread
If you have the flu, it’s really important that you take steps to minimise your risk of spreading the virus to others, especially those who are high risk of serious complications from influenza.
Follow the steps below to reduce the risk of spreading flu or cold viruses:
- get vaccinated
- cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away immediately after use, or cover a cough or sneeze with your elbow
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after you sneeze, blow your nose or cough
- wash your hands before handling food or drinks
- and stay at home as soon as you notice symptoms of the flu.
These tips apply to any viral respiratory illness. Whether you have influenza, RSV, mycoplasma or COVID-19, having good hygiene and looking after yourself will help you lower the chance you’ll pass your germs on to others.
Unless otherwise advised by a doctor, home is the best place to be while you have the flu or a cold. By staying at home, you limit contact with other people and reduce transmission of the virus.
You can greatly reduce your risk of contracting the flu by getting a free flu vaccination.
Find more information about influenza from Queensland Health flu factsheet.