Cold or flu: How can you tell the difference?

Colds and the flu have many symptoms in common, so it can be difficult to tell the difference. Both can cause coughing, nasal congestion and muscle aches. So you may wonder: is it just a cold or do I have the flu? Although both are respiratory infectious diseases, they are caused by different viruses.

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, feeling feverish or chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue, and general malaise.
Cold symptoms are usually milder than flu symptoms. In addition, a cold does not usually lead to serious complications, unlike the flu, whose most common complication is pneumonia and bacterial superinfection. In certain vulnerable populations the risk of complications and death due to influenza is high.¹

Take a look at our computer graphics to help you better understand the differences between colds and the flu²:

Do you feel chills, fever, headaches, aches and pains? Be prepared with Oscillo! Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine that relieves flu-like symptoms and reduces the duration of flu symptoms.
Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine suitable for adults, children and babies.

For a cold³ and its symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and acute rhinitis, try Coryzalia. This homeopathic cold medicine is available in single drinkable doses for babies and children, as well as chewable tablets for adults.

Sources :
1. https://www.merckmanuals.com/fr-ca/accueil/infections/virus-respiratoires/grippe
2. https://www.quebec.ca/sante/problemes-de-sante/grippe-rhume-et-gastro/differences-entre-la-grippe-et-le-rhume/
3. https://www.merckmanuals.com/fr-ca/accueil/infections/virus-respiratoires/rhume