What's the difference between a cold and the flu?

The cold and flu might seem like similar foes, especially when you're already feeling awful from either one. But don't let their shared feelings of misery and exhaustion fool you, there's a key difference between the two.

The common cold is caused by any number of viruses, whereas the flu is as specific as it gets: influenza A or B (or sometimes C). Symptoms for both range from feverish to chesty but generally speaking the cold is slightly gentler - think sore throats and sniffles versus fevers, fatigue and hacky coughs for a bout with the flu.

In short, the difference between a cold and the flu is like night and day. A cold typically comes on slower, with things like a sore throat or stuffy nose being red flags that you're about to come down with something unpleasant. On the other hand, the flu can come on in an instant, with a fever and chills often being some of the first symptoms. Colds are usually more manageable and don't last long, while the flu can hang around for weeks and make you feel pretty crummy.