Here’s How To Tell If You Have The Flu Or Just Another Annoying Cold

Unsplash/Kinga Cichewicz

We often use the phrase “cold and flu season” to refer to the time of the year when everyone around us seems to come down with a case of the sniffles, but the common cold and influenza are two surprisingly different illnesses. Yes, they are both viral infections, but a cold just leaves you with an unhappy nose and throat while the flu can be both highly contagious and deadly.

With that said, take a minute to check out the super helpful infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention below that outlines the different signs and symptoms of the cold and the flu. It could make a real difference in how you choose to handle feeling under the weather in the future.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

And regardless of whether you have the flu or just another pesky cold, take proper precaution to not only help your body heal faster but avoid getting those around you sick as well. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with the inside of your elbow or a tissue, stay home if you have a fever and prioritize both hydration and sleep until you’re feeling 100 percent healthy. After all, nobody likes a Mr. Sniffles!