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We've got your back with cold and flu. If you are unsure of what your symptoms may mean, read more on the NHS website

Understanding the Difference Between Cold & Flu

Why speed is important with early flu symptoms

Telling the difference between a cold and the flu can often be a tricky job, even for professionals. However, when it comes to cold and flu treatments there are important facts you need to know.

Health professionals know that common flu symptoms are different from cold symptoms. Not only do flu symptoms tend to start more suddenly, they also feel more severe and can last for longer. i However, the main difference between cold and flu is that flu is caused by a different group of viruses altogether. ii

According to the NHS, common flu symptoms such as a sudden fever over 38°C, a dry cough, an aching body and feeling exhausted, can all come on very quickly. iii

Cold and flu treatment

Whether you’ve been knocked for six by flu virus symptoms or you’ve had some of the symptoms of a cold, there are some treatments that will help provide relief.

If your cold and flu virus symptoms include a dry or hacking cough, there is recent evidence to suggest that an over-the-counter treatment containing glycerol (sugar) may help provide relief. iv Often flavoured with ingredients such as honey and lemon, researchers say it is an effective treatment. v

You may have heard the age-old adage, ‘feed a cold and starve a fever’, but studies have shown there is little truth in these old wives’ cold and flu remedies. Experts at the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff instead found that people with flu virus symptoms often lose their appetite. They say the key is to eat healthy food to keep your strength up, but there is no need to force it down if you have heavy cold symptoms. vi

Children with cold and flu symptoms

When trying to tell the difference between cold and flu, it can be most difficult with young children. This is because their immune system is not as established as an adult’s, which can lead to more colds. vii The website Babycentre says that parents can expect their little ones to have up to eight colds a year, so it is likely you’ll need some age-specific common cold treatments on hand. viii The NHS also says that common signs and symptoms of cold and flu in children include earaches and appearing less active.

You can help them recover faster from these cold and flu symptoms by encouraging them to get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquids – and by looking for age-appropriate soothing treatments at your pharmacist. If in doubt, they can recommend the most suitable infant cold treatments.

Preparing for flu virus symptoms

As cold and flu symptoms are mainly passed around via a virus, it can be hard to prepare for them. But ensuring that you have a yearly flu jab can help protect against the most common strains. ix In winter 2019, Public Health England announced that GP consultations for flu virus symptoms had already risen by 24% during early December. x While younger children and those with underlying medical conditions or over the age of 65 can get a free flu vaccine, adults and those outside of these groups can also pay to receive the jab. xi

When it comes to understanding the difference between a cold and the flu, it’s usually the speed and severity which will help to answer the question. You can use over-the-counter medication to help you feel better and address the symptoms.



Sources: Clicking any of the links below takes you to an external website that is independently operated and not managed by Haleon. Haleon assumes no responsibility for the content on the website. If you do not wish to leave this website, do not click on the links below

  1. Flu, NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/; Accessed 28/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  2. About Flu, NHS Inform. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/flu; Accessed on 02/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  3. Flu, NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/; Accessed on 02/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  4. How Do I Treat a Dry and Tickly Cough, Net Doctor, https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/respiratory/a25906/how-to-get-rid-of-a-cough/; Accessed 28/01/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  5. Soothing Properties of Glycerol in Cough Syrups for Acute Cough Due to Common Cold, Cardiff University. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/99945/1/pharmacy-05-00004.pdf; Accessed on 02/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  6. What To Do If You Have a Cold or Flu, BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38287013; Accessed on 02/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  7. Why Does My Child Get So Many Colds? Babycentre. https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1022017/common-cold-in-children-ages-one-to-five; Accessed on 28/01/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  8. Why Does My Child Get So Many Colds? Babycentre. https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1022017/common-cold-in-children-ages-one-to-five; Accessed on 28/01/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  9. How the Flu Vaccine Works, NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/how-flu-vaccine-works/; Accessed 28/01/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  10. Public Urged to Act Fast to Avoid Festive Flu, NHS England. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/12/public-urged-to-act-fast-to-avoid-festive-flu/; Accessed on 02/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
  11. Who Should Have the Flu Vaccine? NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/; Accessed on 02/02/2020. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.

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