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Answer:The flu (influenza) and the common cold are both infections that develop in the airways and are caused by viruses. While they tend to have similar symptoms, there are notable differences:

The chart below gives an at-a-glance look at the symptomatic differences between a cold and the flu.

Is It a Cold or the Flu?
Symptoms	Occurrence with Cold	Occurrence with Flu
Fever	Rare	Common, high fever
Headache	Rare	Common
Muscle aches/pain	Rare/Mild	Common, may be severe
Tiredness/weakness	Mild	Common, lasts a few weeks
Stuffy nose	Common	Occasionally
Runny nose/sneezing	Common	Occasionally
Cough	Common — mild cough	Common, may be severe
Sore throat	Common	Occasionally

Because both colds and the flu are viral infections, antibiotics will not work. Antibiotics should be prescribed only for diagnosed bacterial infections—a common complication of viral infections.

The best way to treat a cold or the flu is to provide symptomatic relief—with over-the-counter (OTC) products, drinking fluids, and getting plenty of sleep. Before selecting an OTC remedy, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first as certain ingredients in OTC products may interact with prescription medications you also may be taking or worsen certain medical conditions. Pregnant women, young children, people over 65 years of age, and those with chronic medical conditions should always talk to their doctor first before using OTC medications.

These are common ingredients in OTC cold or flu products:

If you have a cold or the flu and your symptoms do not improve within seven to 10 days, or you have difficulty breathing, a high fever that will not break, or exhibit other symptoms that are not usual for a cold or the flu, call your doctor for further treatment.

The best way to head off the flu is get an annual flu shot. Ask your doctor if this is appropriate for you. In addition, avoiding people who are sick with a cold or flu and washing your hands frequently are good prevention tactics.

Visit our Health Library’s Flu Center for health information and, during flu season, to find out schedules for the Walgreens in-store flu shot program.

View Walgreens.com cough and cold products.

View the Walgreens.com Ask a Pharmacist Archives for a list of all commonly asked questions.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1-877-250-5823.