Cold and flu symptoms can overlap, so sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between the two. In general, colds tend to be less severe than the flu. The way the symptoms appear can also be different. Cold symptoms typically come on gradually and get worse, while flu symptoms tend to appear more suddenly and severely.
Our flu doctors explain how you can spot the differences.
If you think you have the flu and are unsure about your symptoms, it’s a good idea to reach out to a doctor.
About the authors
Dr. Jeanette Carpenter is board certified in Family Medicine and practices in Virginia. She has an interest in preventative medicine and holistic medicine and has a certification in plant based nutrition from eCornell. She believes stress and lifestyle impacts the disease process and spends extra time educating patients on lifestyle modifications that can improve their overall health.
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