Discover the facts you need to know about colds and flu; the symptoms they cause, how they differ, and – most importantly – how you can help to protect yourself and your family during the cold and flu season.
What You Should Know
What causes colds and flu and what are the differences between them? Find out how you can reduce the risk of becoming infected.
About Cold and Flu Germs
By understanding how cold and flu germs spread, you can help to protect yourself and those around you during the cold and flu season. Cold and flu viruses can spread easily from person to person in a variety of ways. If someone has a cold or flu, every time they sneeze, cough or speak, tiny droplets containing the virus are launched into the air. If you breathe these droplets in, chances are you may become infected. Cold and flu viruses can also pass from an infected person’s nose onto their hands and surfaces, such as used tissues, door handles and other hand-contact surfaces, either by touching, sneezing or coughing on them. If you touch the person’s hands or the things they have contaminated, and then touch your nose or eyes, this may lead to you becoming infected too.
Cold and Flu Germs: Bacteria versus Viruses
‘Bacteria’ are micro-organisms that live all around us. They are found on and inside our bodies, on surfaces, in water, and in almost any place you can think of. Although most types of bacteria are harmless, some types can make you ill.
- Some types of bacteria cause infections, for example Staphylcoccu saureus, can cause skin infections, boils and abscesses, and Salmonella sp. can cause food poisoning and diarrhoea.
- Most bacterial infections can usually be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
- Bacteria can survive on surfaces and where warmth and moisture are present, they can even grow.
‘Viruses’, on the other hand, must get inside a living thing (like a human or animal) in order to survive and reproduce. They cannot grow or multiply on surfaces, even when warmth and moisture are present. However, they can usually survive on surfaces long enough to be picked up by someone who touches that surface.
- Viruses cause the flu and the common cold.
- One type of virus causes flu, while a different type causes the common cold.
- Antibiotic medicines cannot cure viral infections.
- A doctor may prescribe specific antiviral medicines to help reduce the severity of flu symptoms and stop the occurrence of flu-related complications.
- Both cold and flu viruses are extremely hardy – the flu virus can live on surfaces for up to 2 days, and cold viruses can survive for as long as 7 days.
The Difference between Colds and Flu
Sometimes it is hard to know if you have a cold or the flu. Many of the symptoms are the same. Both colds and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria, which means that you cannot treat them with antibiotics.
The Common Cold At-A-Glance
The common cold is a viral infection affecting the upper respiratory system, so most of the symptoms involve the nose and throat.
Cause: Rhinoviruses are viruses that infect the upper respiratory system (of which there are over 100 different types) and are the most common cause of colds.
Spread: Colds spread by a person inhaling the droplets that are expelled from an infected person’s respiratory tract when they cough or sneeze, or by touching contaminated surfaces (such as a used tissue or door handle) or people's hands, and then touching your eyes or nose.
Symptoms: These can appear within 10 to 12 hours of exposure, but usually within 48 hours, and can include:
- runny or stuffy nose
- sore or irritated throat
- coughing
- hoarseness
- sneezing
- low-grade fever (unusual in adults but common in young children)
- occasionally, a headache or muscle pain.
Duration: Most symptoms resolve completely within 7 to 14 days, although a cough may persist for longer.
Complications: The common cold is usually a mild infection that resolves quickly without any treatment, but it can sometimes lead to sinusitis (sinus infection) or acute otitis media (an ear infection), and occasionally leads to lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. These conditions may require specific medicines to treat them so you should consult a doctor or pharmacist if they occur.
Flu At-A-Glance
The flu is also a viral infection affecting the lower and upper respiratory system, which is why it can be difficult to distinguish from the common cold.
Cause: Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus. There are three main types of influenza virus:
- Type A: These viruses are responsible for most cases of human flu. There are many subtypes (e.g. H1N1). Some can cause epidemics. Some cause disease in animals, such as birds, pigs and horses.
- Type B: These viruses are less common and usually cause less severe illness, but can sometimes cause outbreaks of flu – particularly amongst children.
- Type C: These viruses usually only cause mild flu and are rare.
Spread: Just like colds, flu spreads by inhaling the droplets that are expelled from an infected person’s respiratory tract when they talk, cough or sneeze, and by touching contaminated surfaces (such as a used tissue or door handle) or people's hands, and then touching your eyes or nose. But, what makes flu particularly challenging is that you can infect someone the day before your own symptoms develop, and up to five days after your symptoms appear. That means you could give the flu to someone else before you even know you have it yourself.
Symptoms: Flu usually makes people much more ill than a cold does. Flu symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure, and can include:
- sudden fever (usually 39ºC or above)
- dry cough
- achy muscles
- headache
- sore throat
- extreme tiredness
- runny or blocked nose and sneezing
- stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children).
Duration: Most people start to feel better within a couple of weeks, but for some people, flu can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. And if you have a chronic illness like asthma, flu can make your existing symptoms worse.
Cold and Flu: When Symptoms Seem the Same
It is easy to confuse a cold with the flu. Both are respiratory illnesses, and because some of the symptoms are the same, like a runny nose and a sore throat, it can be difficult to tell them apart.
Generally, flu symptoms are much worse than cold symptoms and are more likely to affect your whole body, rather than just your nose and throat.
- With the flu, you are more likely to have a fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme tiredness and a dry cough. Flu is also more likely to result in further complications.
- Cold symptoms are usually mild. With a cold, your main symptom is likely to be a blocked or runny nose.
Cold and Flu Prevention
Cold and flu viruses can spread easily, so you need to take care to help stop you and your family from getting ill. Colds and flu can be serious for some people. They can lead to complications like bronchitis and pneumonia, and can be particularly hazardous for at-risk groups, such as young children, those with chronic lung diseases and the elderly.
Protecting your family from the germs that cause colds and flu is easier than you might think. Learn what you can do to help protect yourself during the cold and flu season.
Follow Healthy Habits
Good hygiene can help stop cold and flu viruses spreading around your home and making you and your family ill:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand santiser to help destroy the germs on your hands.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially the surfaces that people often touch with their hands (e.g. door handles, taps and work surfaces).
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing.
- Put your used tissues in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
In addition, to help you avoid flu:
- If you are in an ‘at-risk’ group, get a flu vaccination.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
Since colds and flu can spread via hands and surfaces, good hygiene is essential. And, during a flu epidemic, it is also important to make sure you follow the latest government advice.
Tips to Help Protect Children
- If your child has asthma, diabetes or another condition that makes them particularly susceptible to flu, they may need to be vaccinated. Contact your doctor for advice.
- Teach your children about the importance of washing their hands after coughing and sneezing, and after touching dirty tissues. Make sure they understand that they should also wash their hands before handling food, and after using the toilet and playing outside.
- Show children how to use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze. Teach them to put their used tissues in a bin and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially the surfaces that people often touch with their hands (e.g. handles and work surfaces).
When Someone Has Flu
Flu can be a serious illness for some people, so if someone in your family develops flu symptoms it is important to follow the latest government advice. The usual advice is that they should:
- stay at home, keeping away from others as much as possible whilst infectious
- drink plenty of fluids (e.g. water)
- if necessary, take medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms(Always read the label. Children under 16 years should not take aspirin.)
- ensure good hygiene at all times, and particularly while infectious.
When to Get Medical Attention
It is important to check and follow the government’s latest advice, but if you develop flu symptoms and are usually fit and healthy, you will not normally need to consult your doctor. However, you should seek medical advice promptly if your flu symptoms are severe, last more than a week, or if there is a risk of complications (e.g. because you are pregnant or have a chronic illness such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or asthma).
FAQ on Colds and Flu
Can cold and flu germs live on kitchen worktops and other surfaces?
Yes. In fact, flu germs can survive on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours and the cold virus for up to 7 days! To help stop the germs spreading around your home, it is important to frequently clean and disinfect the surfaces that you often touch with your hands, such as door handles, handrails and taps – especially during the cold and flu season.
How are colds and flu different?
Colds and flu are both caused by viruses, and some of the symptoms are the same. However, flu is usually a much more severe illness and the symptoms typically include a sudden fever, body aches, and extreme tiredness.
Can I go to work if I have a cold or the flu?
If you have a cold, provided you feel well enough, you can go to work. Just make sure you:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- use an alcohol-based hand santiser to help destroy the germs on your hands if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing
- put your used tissues in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
However, if you have the flu, you are likely to feel very unwell and will need time away from work to recover. To avoid spreading the infection to others – especially those who may be at risk of serious flu complications – you should stay away from other people as much as possible by remaining at home until you are free of symptoms.
Should I get a flu vaccination?
Flu vaccinations are an effective way to prevent influenza and severe outcomes from the illness. For people who are at greatest risk, the seasonal flu vaccinations may be available free of charge. Often, doctors organise special flu clinics every autumn. They may contact registered patients who need to be immunised. However, if you do not receive an invitation to attend a flu clinic, and you think that you need to be immunised (see below), contact your doctor for advice.
You may need a flu vaccination if you are pregnant or if you are aged 65 years or over, or if you are aged 6 months or older and have any of the following conditions:
- Chronic respiratory disease (including if you have asthma and regularly use inhaled or systemic steroids or if your asthma has previously resulted in you being admitted to hospital).
- Chronic heart, kidney or liver disease.
- Chronic neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson’s disease).
- Diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs.
- Immunosuppression (e.g. due to HIV/AIDS or cancer treatment).
Vaccination is also recommended for:
- people living in long-stay residential homes or other long-stay facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality
- carers (i.e. anyone who receives the carer's allowance, or who is the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill)
- health care workers and social services employees who provide care or support to patients
- anyone who works with poultry.
Help Protect Your Family from Colds and Flu
At this time of year, cold and flu viruses can spread easily. To help protect your family, there are a number of things they can do to reduce the risk of picking up an infection.
Quick Tips
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water.
- Use a hand sanitiser to destroy the germs on your hands when soap and water are not available.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially the surfaces that people often touch with their hands (e.g. door handles, light switches, telephones, TV remotes). Make sure you follow manufacturers’ recommendations when disinfecting these surfaces.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Put your used tissues in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
- Stay off work if you have the flu until your symptoms have disappeared.
- Get the flu vaccination if you are in an ‘at risk’ group.
Why is Good Hygiene Important?
Good hygiene is essential in helping prevent the spread of colds and flu. You can help to protect yourself and those around you during the cold and flu season by understanding how to stop cold and flu germs spreading. Cold and flu viruses can spread easily from person to person in a variety of ways. If someone has a cold or flu, every time they sneeze, cough or speak, tiny droplets containing the virus are launched into the air. If you breathe these droplets in, chances are you may become infected. Cold and flu viruses can also pass from an infected person’s nose onto their hands and surfaces, such as used tissues, door handles and other hand-contact surfaces, either by touching, sneezing or coughing on them. If you touch the person’s hands or the things they have contaminated, and then touch your nose or eyes, this may lead to you becoming infected too. Taking care to wash hands and disinfect surfaces can help reduce the risk of picking up an infection by this route.
What You Should Know
Both colds and flu are viral infections affecting the lower and upper respiratory system, which is why it can be difficult to distinguish from the common cold. Because some of the symptoms are the same, like a runny nose and a sore throat, it can be difficult to tell them apart.
Generally, flu symptoms are much worse than cold symptoms and are more likely to affect your whole body, rather than just your nose and throat. With the flu, you are likely to have a fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme tiredness and a dry cough. Flu can also result in further complications.
Cold symptoms are usually mild and the main symptom is likely to be a blocked or runny nose. What makes flu particularly challenging, however, is that you can infect someone the day before your own symptoms develop, and up to five days after your symptoms appear. That means you could give the flu to someone else before you even know you have it yourself.
How Good Hygiene Can Help
Good hygiene can help stop cold and flu viruses spreading around your home, so make sure all the family wash their hands frequently with soap and water, especially if you are caring for someone who is ill. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand santiser. Clean and disinfect all household surfaces regularly, especially those that people often touch with their hands (e.g. door handles, telephone handsets, remote controls and light switches). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, then put your used tissues in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Try and avoid close contact with people who are ill wherever possible and don’t be tempted to go into work if you have the flu. You are likely to feel very unwell and will need time away from work to recover.
Vaccinations
Flu vaccinations are an effective way to prevent influenza and severe outcomes from the illness. For people who are at greatest risk, the seasonal flu vaccinations may be available free of charge. Often, doctors organise special flu clinics every autumn.
You may need a flu vaccination if you are pregnant, aged 65 years or over, or if you are aged 6 months or older and have chronic respiratory disease (including asthma); chronic heart, kidney or liver disease; chronic neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson’s disease); diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs; or immunosuppression (e.g. due to HIV/AIDS or cancer treatment).
Vaccination is also recommended for those living in long-stay residential homes, carers, healthcare workers and social services employees who support patients, and anyone who works with poultry.
When Someone Has Flu
Flu can be a serious illness for some people, so if someone in your family develops flu symptoms it is important to follow the latest government advice. The usual advice is that they should stay at home and keep away from others as much as possible whilst infectious. They should also drink plenty of fluids such as water, and if necessary, take medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms (Always read the label. Children under 16 years should not take aspirin.). Ensure that good hygiene levels are maintained whether caring for someone, or whether you have flu yourself.