The Differences Between Flu And The Common Cold

Oftentimes, the two diseases are thrown in the same category and the terms “flu” and “cold” are misused. This happens for a good reason, as both diseases have a shared set of common symptoms, they are both affected by external factors such as weather and they can be treated similarly, to some extent. Still, you will find out that the flu and the common cold are two (almost) unrelated conditions, as we will spot their differences and unique characteristics.

First of all, we should note that the flu and the cold come from different viral families. Actually, whereas the flu viruses form a category of its own (the Orthomyxoviridae family), common cold can be caused by up to four hundred viruses, including coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, some echoviruses, coxsackieviruses and paramyxoviruses. Obviously, the common cold is more_common than its more dangerous cousin, hence most cases of flu are simply diagnosed as mild colds at first.

This confusion is produced by the similarity in some of the initial symptoms of both diseases. For example, both cases of flu and common cold may very well start with afflictions of the upper respiratory system (mainly the nose and throat) such as constant sneezing, nasal congestions, sore and dry throat (or phlegmy throat in some cases) and coughing. In addition, both diseases can cause mild headaches, fevers, muscle soreness and a general state of weakness and nausea, although these symptoms are more powerful in flu cases. Actually, that’s the main difference between the symptoms of a flu case and a common cold, the flu ones are more powerful and they act out quicker, with potentially more damaging effects.

Usually, the symptoms for a flu case will start making themselves noticed roughly 24-48 hours after the virus has infected the body, whereas common cold viruses are “triggered” slower. This means that it’s a lot easier to prevent a case of common cold than one of flu, stopping the viruses from their roots before spreading and making the situation worse.

If left untreated, both diseases can cause complications, but the flu is by far the worse. Flu cases can easily lead to death if not treated, since the virus is a lot more powerful and it is also more adaptable to avoiding medication and to countering the infected person’s immune system (actually, the flu virus is known to be one of the most “instinctive” and adaptable viruses of all time, since it constantly mutates into newer, better versions). A case of flu can become deadly in many ways, either through high fever, reducing the immune system to a point where the body is easily afflicted by numerous other diseases, but most commonly, flu is deadly by causing an acute respiratory deficiency. On the other hand, it’s relatively hard for a common cold to become lethal. Even if left untreated by modern medication, a common cold can be naturally healed. And while the cold itself will almost never be the cause of death, the complications it can produce, such as pneumonia for example, may very well do so.