English archive > cold > Differences and coincidences between colds and flu

Sometimes when we have a runny nose, cough and sore throat we think we have flu, yet we might only have a cold.

The table below shows the differences between one and the other.

	Characteristics Flu Cold Onset Sudden Gradual Temperature 38ºC-41ºC Sometimes Aches and pains Yes No Headache Severe Sometimes Backache Yes No Sneezing Some Yes Pain on swallowing Sometimes Yes Itchy eyes Sometimes Yes Runny nose Sometimes Yes Cough Sometimes Yes