Frequently Asked Questions About Colds And The Flu

Overview

Colds and flu are both illnesses caused by viruses — tiny germs that spread easily from person to person. A cold mostly affects your nose and throat and usually makes you feel mildly unwell. Flu is caused by a different virus, tends to hit harder and faster, and can make you feel quite ill for a week or more. They are not the same illness, but they share many symptoms, which is why people often mix them up. The word 'flu' is short for influenza.

Very common. Most adults catch a cold a few times a year, and children can catch many more. Flu comes around in seasonal waves, usually in the colder months, and can affect large numbers of people at the same time.

Anyone can get a cold or flu. Colds are especially common in young children, who then often pass them on to family members. Flu can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to become seriously unwell: adults over 65, pregnant women, children under 5, people with long-term conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, and people whose immune system (the body's defence system) is weaker than usual.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing and sore throat
• Cough, which may be dry or bring up phlegm (thick mucus)
• Feeling tired or generally unwell
• Headache and muscle aches
• A temperature (fever) — more typical of flu than a cold
• Chills and shivering, especially with flu
• Loss of appetite

Symptoms in children

• Colds are very common in children and often cause a runny nose, cough and mild fever
• Children with flu may be irritable, sleepier than usual, or refuse to feed or drink
• Ear pain can happen with a cold, because fluid can build up behind the eardrum
• Young children may vomit or have loose stools alongside flu
• A child with a cold may breathe noisily through a blocked nose — this alone is not usually a worry if they are feeding and playing normally

Symptoms in older adults

• Symptoms can be less obvious — sometimes there is confusion or a general 'not feeling right' rather than a high fever
• Cough and tiredness may last longer, and recovery can be slower than in younger people
• Flu can worsen existing long-term conditions such as heart or lung problems
• Older adults may become dehydrated more quickly, so watching fluid intake matters

Causes

Main causes

• Colds are caused by many different viruses — rhinoviruses are among the most common
• Flu is caused by influenza viruses, which change slightly from year to year
• Both spread through droplets when someone coughs, sneezes or talks nearby
• Both spread through hands touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth

Risk factors

• Being in close contact with people who are unwell — schools, workplaces and public transport are common places to pick up viruses
• Not washing hands regularly, especially before eating
• Being a smoker or living with a smoker, which irritates the airways
• Being pregnant, over 65, or having a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
• Having a weakened immune system
• Being in crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces during flu season

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You or your child have breathing difficulty, chest pain or are hard to wake
• A baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher
• You are dehydrated and cannot keep fluids down
• Symptoms get suddenly worse after starting to improve
• You have a long-term condition that is getting worse
• You are pregnant and have flu symptoms

Book a routine appointment if:

• Symptoms last more than about three weeks, or a cough lasts more than three weeks
• You keep getting fevers or the fever returns
• You notice blood in your phlegm
• You have ear pain, sinus pain or a sore throat that is getting worse
• You are unsure whether you need treatment, or you are worried

Diagnosis

Usually a doctor or pharmacist can tell whether you have a cold or flu just by talking about your symptoms and how quickly they came on. Flu tends to start suddenly with fever, aches and exhaustion, while a cold usually builds more slowly and stays around the nose and throat. In most cases no tests are needed.

Tests that may be done

• Usually none — the diagnosis is based on symptoms
• In some situations, a swab test from the nose or throat may be used to check for influenza
• A blood test or chest X-ray may be arranged if a complication such as pneumonia is suspected

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, how long you have had them, whether you have any long-term conditions, and whether you have been in contact with anyone who is unwell. They may listen to your chest with a stethoscope. The appointment is usually short and straightforward, and often the outcome is advice on self-care rather than a prescription.

Treatment

Most colds and flu get better without any specific treatment. The aim is to ease your symptoms, keep you comfortable and give your body time to fight the infection. Antibiotics do not help because the cause is a virus, not bacteria.

Self-care at home

• Rest as much as you need to — sleep is when your body does its repair work
• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, warm drinks or broth, to stay hydrated
• Stay warm and comfortable, but do not over-bundle yourself or a child
• Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies that suit your age and health — for example something to ease fever or aches, or a decongestant
• Honey in a warm drink can soothe a cough in adults and children over 1 year old (never give honey to babies under 1)
• Salt-water gargles or lozenges can ease a sore throat
• Stay home while you feel unwell, to rest and to avoid passing the virus to others
• Keep rooms ventilated and avoid smoky environments

Medical treatments

For most people, treatment is about relieving symptoms — easing fever, soothing a cough and keeping fluids up. Your pharmacist can advise on suitable over-the-counter options. For some people at higher risk of complications, a doctor may prescribe a specific antiviral medicine for flu, which works best when started early. Antibiotics are only used if a bacterial infection develops alongside the virus, such as some chest or ear infections. Your healthcare provider will decide what, if anything, is right for you.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used to treat colds or flu. Occasionally, complications such as a severe bacterial infection may need hospital treatment, but this is uncommon and is not the same as treating the virus itself.

Living with this condition

Give yourself permission to slow down. Most people feel noticeably better within a few days, though a cough can linger for two to three weeks after other symptoms have gone. Build rest into your day, keep drinks nearby, and avoid pushing yourself back to full activity too quickly.

Lifestyle tips

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand gel if soap is not available
• Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, then throw it away and wash your hands
• Avoid sharing cups, towels or utensils while unwell
• Keep up good sleep habits — tiredness makes it harder to fight infection
• Avoid smoking and smoky places, which irritate your airways
• Stay home from work or school while you have a fever and feel unwell

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that cures a cold or flu, but eating regularly and drinking enough helps your body cope. Warm, easy-to-eat foods such as soup are comforting and hydrating. Take a break from intense exercise while you have a fever or feel exhausted, and return gradually. Gentle movement such as a short walk is fine once you feel up to it.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Being unwell can be frustrating, boring and lonely, especially if you are stuck at home for a week. Feeling low or anxious while ill is common and usually lifts as you recover. If you are struggling with your mental health, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for crisis support in your country straight away — you deserve help and you are not alone.

Prevention

You cannot completely avoid colds and flu, but you can lower your chances of catching them and of passing them on. Hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, ventilating rooms and staying away from others when unwell all make a real difference.

Vaccines

There is a vaccine for flu, which is offered each year because the virus changes. It is recommended for people at higher risk, including older adults, pregnant women, young children, carers and people with certain long-term conditions. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether it is recommended for you. There is no vaccine for the common cold, because so many different viruses cause it.

Screening programmes

There is no screening programme for colds or flu. Flu vaccination is a prevention measure, not a screening test.

Complications

If left untreated

• Most colds and flu settle without any complications
• Some people develop a chest infection such as pneumonia (an infection deep in the lungs)
• Ear infections and sinus infections can follow a cold
• Flu can make existing conditions like asthma, heart disease or diabetes worse
• Dehydration can happen, particularly in young children and older adults
• Rarely, flu can cause serious illness needing hospital care

Long-term outlook

For the great majority of people, a cold or flu passes and full health returns. A cough may hang around for a few weeks, which is normal and not a sign that something is wrong. If you are in a higher-risk group, being vaccinated and seeking advice early gives you the best protection. Most people recover fully and are back to normal life within one to two weeks.

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