Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Cold Or Flu? NHS Reveals 3 Symptoms To Spot The Difference

cold or flu difference symptoms

Catching a cold during winter is fairly common because viruses spread more easily in packed indoor settings, and cold weather can weaken the immune defence inside the nose, making it harder to fight infections. Having a stuffy nose or a mild cough is one thing, but many people often confuse their illness with a cold when it may actually be flu. Flu symptoms are usually more intense and can include fever, headaches and body aches, along with a dry cough and sore throat. A cold, on the other hand, tends to peak within two to three days, with recovery usually taking about a week.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Cold vs Flu</span>: Why Knowing the Difference Matters</h2>

With a strong flu strain causing disruption across the UK, knowing how to tell the difference between a cold and flu has become especially important. Berkshire NHS, which has around 17,100 followers on TikTok, has outlined three key differences between the two illnesses.

In a caption, the community NHS trust said: “Cold and flu symptoms can look similar, but flu is usually more severe. The flu vaccine helps protect against flu. Visit the NHS website to learn more.”

<h2>NHS Shares 3 Symptoms to Tell Cold and Flu Apart</h2>

The video features an NHS staff member pointing out three signs as she walks toward the correct option. The first is that flu comes on suddenly, often within a few hours, while a cold mainly affects the nose and throat. The final sign is that flu can leave you feeling drained and too unwell to go about your normal routine.

Flu often clears up on its own, but it can make some people very unwell. That is why it is important to get vaccinated if you are advised to do so and to follow safe distancing to reduce the spread of infection.

As per NHS, below are the flu symptoms that people need to take care of:

<ul><li>A sudden high temperature</li><li>An aching body</li><li>Feeling tired or exhausted</li><li>A dry cough</li><li>A sore throat</li><li>A headache</li><li>Difficulty sleeping</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Diarrhoea or tummy pain</li><li>Feeling sick and being sick</li></ul>

<h2>What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold?</h2>

<ul><li>A blocked or runny nose</li><li>Sneezing</li><li>A sore throat</li><li>A hoarse voice</li><li>A cough</li><li>Feeling tired and unwell</li><li>A high temperature</li><li>Aching muscles</li><li>A loss of taste and smell</li><li>A feeling of pressure in your ears and face</li></ul>

In most cases, a cold can be managed at home without seeing a GP. You should start to feel better within one to two weeks, with symptoms developing over two to three days.

<h2>Cold Symptoms in Children: What Parents Should Know</h2>

Cold symptoms can last longer in young children. They may become more irritable, struggle with eating and sleeping, breathe through their mouth, and sometimes vomit after coughing. As per NHS, try to get enough rest over the Christmas holidays if possible, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nourishing food to help lower the risk of illness.

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Catching a cold during winter is fairly common because viruses spread more easily in packed indoor settings, and cold weather can weaken the immune defence inside the nose, making it harder to fight infections. Having a stuffy nose or a mild cough is one thing, but many people often confuse their illness with a cold when it may actually be flu. Flu symptoms are usually more intense and can include fever, headaches and body aches, along with a dry cough and sore throat. A cold, on the other hand, tends to peak within two to three days, with recovery usually taking about a week.Cold vs Flu: Why Knowing the Difference MattersWith a strong flu strain causing disruption across the UK, knowing how to tell the difference between a cold and flu has become especially important. Berkshire NHS, which has around 17,100 followers on TikTok, has outlined three key differences between the two illnesses.In a caption, the community NHS trust said: “Cold and flu symptoms can look similar, but flu is usually more severe. The flu vaccine helps protect against flu. Visit the NHS website to learn more.”NHS Shares 3 Symptoms to Tell Cold and Flu ApartThe video features an NHS staff member pointing out three signs as she walks toward the correct option. The first is that flu comes on suddenly, often within a few hours, while a cold mainly affects the nose and throat. The final sign is that flu can leave you feeling drained and too unwell to go about your normal routine.Can Flu Get Better on Its Own?Flu often clears up on its own, but it can make some people very unwell. That is why it is important to get vaccinated if you are advised to do so and to follow safe distancing to reduce the spread of infection.Flu Symptoms 2025As per NHS, below are the flu symptoms that people need to take care of:A sudden high temperatureAn aching bodyFeeling tired or exhaustedA dry coughA sore throatA headacheDifficulty sleepingLoss of appetiteDiarrhoea or tummy painFeeling sick and being sickWhat Are The Symptoms Of A Cold?A blocked or runny noseSneezingA sore throatA hoarse voiceA coughFeeling tired and unwellA high temperatureAching musclesA loss of taste and smellA feeling of pressure in your ears and faceHow Long Does a Cold Last?In most cases, a cold can be managed at home without seeing a GP. You should start to feel better within one to two weeks, with symptoms developing over two to three days.Cold Symptoms in Children: What Parents Should KnowCold symptoms can last longer in young children. They may become more irritable, struggle with eating and sleeping, breathe through their mouth, and sometimes vomit after coughing. As per NHS, try to get enough rest over the Christmas holidays if possible, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nourishing food to help lower the risk of illness.