What you need to know this winter about the cold and flu
October 16, 2025
The common cold and flu are two of the most common illnesses around the world. The average adult in the United States will get two to three colds every year. While the flu is less common thanks to vaccination, it still can cause serious complications, especially in high-risk individuals. By learning the latest information about these illnesses, you can protect yourself and your family this winter.
“Staying healthy during cold and flu season isn’t about doing everything perfectly, it’s about making small, consistent choices that protect you and the people around you. A little preparation now can save you a lot of discomfort later,” says Lizzie Russell, DNP, family nurse practitioner at Saint Joseph Health System.
Differences between a cold and the flu
Due to the relative similarity in how someone might feel when contracted with a cold or the flu, many people believe that the flu is simply a worse cold. However, while they are both considered infectious respiratory diseases, they are caused by different viruses. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by any one of over 200 different viruses, Rhinoviruses being the most common.
The flu is caused by one of three influenza viruses and usually lasts longer than the common cold, causing mild to severe illness. The three different types of influenza are:
- Influenza A can infect people, as well as certain animals like birds, pigs and horses. Two subtypes, known as H1N1 and H3N2, are the only ones that circulate among humans, which is why they are included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
- Influenza B is primarily only found in humans and generally causes less severe symptoms than Influenza A.
- Influenza C only causes mild illness and occurs much less frequently than the other two strains, so much so that it’s not included in yearly vaccines.
“It’s easy to assume the flu is just a more intense version of a cold, but they’re completely different viruses. Knowing the difference matters because it changes how you manage symptoms and when you should seek care,” says Dr. Russell.
How to tell which illness you have
The flu and a cold can present similar symptoms, making it difficult to determine which you have contracted. Cough, headaches, sneezing, runny nose and congestion are all common between the two illnesses. However, each also has unique symptoms that are more likely in one than the other.
For example, if the person who is sick has a fever, which rarely occurs during a cold, then it’s extremely likely that they have the flu. On the other hand, sore throats are very common when someone has a cold and only sometimes present from a flu. By understanding which symptoms occur for which disease, you can accurately pinpoint which you have, informing treatment. To learn more about different symptoms and their rarity between the flu, cold and other infectious diseases, visit the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
How to prevent and treat a cold and the flu
Unfortunately, there is no cure for either the common cold or the flu. Instead, prevention is the best option to avoid becoming sick. If you find yourself contracted with a cold or the flu, there are various medications and treatments that can improve symptoms but are unable to treat the virus themselves.
“People often think staying healthy is complicated, but it really comes down to the basics. Drinking water, getting enough sleep and taking time to rest when you’re run down can make a huge difference in avoiding illness,” says Dr. Russell.
Receive an annual flu shot
Every year, different strains of the flu circulate. The World Health Organization monitors these strains and determines which types are likely to be the most common and should be covered by the vaccine. The shot does not contain the live virus, and it is therefore impossible to contract the flu from the vaccine itself.
The vaccine can reduce flu risk by up to 60%, preventing hospitalizations and deaths for yourself, your family and your community. Saint Joseph Health System offers the vaccine at multiple locations.
“Getting your flu shot isn’t just about you, it’s about protecting the people around you. When more of us are vaccinated, it helps keep our schools, workplaces, and families healthier through the season,” says Dr. Russell.
Follow standard hygiene protocols
While the common cold does not have a vaccine, both it and the flu can be prevented by following standard hygiene protocols. These include:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve of your shirt when you cough or sneeze.
- Follow proper handwashing technique, teaching children the correct way to wash hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces in your home, such as countertops, doorknobs and electronic devices.
- Avoid in-person contact with individuals who are sick.
Treating the symptoms, not the disease
There is no treatment that will make the cold and flu go away, but there are options that can help you feel better until your body’s immune system rids itself of the virus. These can include:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help lower fever and/or relieve muscle aches. Check the label for proper dosage and do not take aspirin.
- Over-the-counter medicines, like throat lozenges, to help ease symptoms. However, only take cough medication when your cough becomes too painful as coughing is your body’s way of removing mucus from your lungs.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Stay away from secondhand smoke
- Sleep as much as your body will allow
- Hot soups and liquids to help clear congestion and stuffiness.
- Antiviral drugs may be prescribed in extreme cases where someone is very sick with the flu.
There are also many myths regarding the cold and flu. It’s important to speak with a doctor before trying a new treatment option. For example, while vitamin C is important for your immune system, there is no proof that the vitamin has any impact on improving cold symptoms. Also, never take antibiotics for a cold or the flu. Both are viral infections which won’t be affected by anti-bacterial medications.
When to see a doctor
Most sick people that contract a cold or the flu get better on their own within a few days. However, there are symptoms that may indicate serious medical issues. If you or someone you known experience these, immediately see a doctor.
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting
- Symptoms that get better, but then return worse than before
- Not urinating
- General worsening of symptoms
