How can you tell whether you have the flu or just a common cold? This isn’t a riddle, because to be fair you feel pretty rough if suffering from either and the treatment is usually the same.

Even though the treatment for both a cold and the flu may be the same, the fact is they are both caused by completely different organisms. The worst parts of your cold may actually last longer, but the flu bug is going to generally cause you more discomfort.

Lets look at a comparison of common symptoms and the differences we can find between them depending on whether or not they are caused by the flu or a common cold.

Fever- With the flu, this is a common characteristic and it comes on suddenly. With a cold it’s actually quite rare to have a high temperature.

Headache- It’s a very prominent feature if you’re suffering from the flu bug, but surprisingly quite rare if you only have a cold.

General aches and pains- If you have the flu, you will feel as if you’ve been run over by a bus (several times). With a cold, you may have a few aches and pains, but nothing too severe.

Runny Nose- This is very common with a cold, but less so with the flu though of course it can happen in some cases.

Sore throat- Another very common symptom of a common cold and sometimes accompanies the flu virus.

Cough- Is very common with the flu and can become quite severe if left untreated. If you’re suffering from a cold, it can be a mild to moderate hacking cough.

December-January is found to be the most common months for people to catch either a cold or the flu, so make sure you’re especially prepared these particular months.

Colds and the flu are spread by `droplet infection’ This means that when a sufferer coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets are expelled from their nose and mouth. These droplets are then inhaled by other people or transmitted from hard surfaces via hands etc.

You can’t catch a cold just by going out with wet hair or not wrapping up properly though prolonged exposure to cold and wet weather doesn’t help.

You can’t vaccinate against the common cold, there are too many variables to consider, however you can vaccinate against the flu virus.

It is thought that the flu is probably the most infectious virus in the world.

The myth that feeding a cold to starve a fever is just that, a myth! Drink plenty of fluids, and don’t worry too much if you can’t face the thought of food.