A person with the common cold has contracted one of over 200 different viruses, while the flu is a specific viral infection, according to MayoClinic.com. The cold and flu have similar signs and symptoms due their similar nature. Both cause nasal congestion, a fever and fatigue and may last up to two weeks. With over 1 billion cases of the common cold in the United States annually, it is the number reason why people miss work or school, according to the New York Times Health Guide.
Fever
A fever from the common cold is typically below 100.5 degrees while a fever from the flu can reach 102 degrees in adults, according to MayoClinic.com. A person who develops a fever higher than 100.5 should seek medical attention for proper diagnosis. A fever resulting from the flu may come on suddenly with an immediate spike in temperature, while the common cold causes the body temperature to rise slowly.
Congestion
A person may experience congestion in the sinus cavity and throughout the head causing sneezing, coughing and a stuffy nose. Sinus congestion may lead to sinus headaches, causing pain in the eyes, the ears and throughout the head. It may also lead to post-nasal drip, a condition where mucus is expelled in the back of the throat and can irritate the throat and stomach. Nasal congestion due to the cold and flu is thick and yellowish-green in color, according to the University of Virginia.
Chills and Body Aches
Induced by a rise in body temperature, a person may experience chills and body aches. Most flu-like over-the-counter medications include pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen help relieve chills, body aches and a fever, according to MayoClinic.com. The National Library of Medicine warns about the overuse of OTC medications, especially in children and teenagers. Children and teens should not use any medication containing aspirin during a cold or the flu as it may lead to Reye's syndrome, a potentially deadly condition.
Decreased Appetite
A person can experience a decrease in appetite as an early sign of the cold or flu. Especially in children, one of the first signs is that they don't want to eat and may not want to drink. Keeping a person hydrated proves an essential part of maintain proper healthy during a cold or flu because the elevated body temperature requires more fluids than usual.
