27 Jan Flu Vs. Common Cold

One of the more common questions I get during flu season is, "how do you tell the difference between Flu and Common Cold?" Sounds like an easy question but there is not always a clear way to differentiate them.  Typically both incubate for 2-3 days before symptoms present and symptoms will last for 4-7 days.  They both can present with body aches, sore throat, runny nose, headache and cough.  They are both transmitted by particle droplets. Influenza is most commonly spread by large droplets, meaning you need to be in close contact, approximately 6 feet.  The common cold is often spread not only by large droplets but also by much smaller droplets that can be aerosolized and spread over greater distances.  Most often both are spread by hand-to-hand contact, thus the importance of washing your hands regularly and keeping your hands away from your face.  Contaminated environmental surfaces can also transfer live viruses. Flu is caused by the Influenza A or B viruses.  The " Common Cold" can be caused by over 200 different subtypes of viruses, including the Influenza viruses in about 5% of the cases.