To call it a cold or flu?

That is the question...
What is the difference between cold and influenza (flu)?
The symptoms of a common cold include:
* a runny or blocked nose
* sneezing
* minor throat irritation
* mild fever
* a feeling that your ears are blocked
* coloured mucus or nasal discharge - this means that your immune system is fighting the infection.

Influenza is a much more serious illness. Often people call a severe common cold 'the flu', but they are quite different illnesses. Symptoms of influenza usually start suddenly with a high fever and you may feel sick enough to go to bed. Symptoms include:
* irritation in the throat or lungs
* a dry cough
* high fever
* shivering
* sweating
* severe muscle aches

The flu tends to make the whole body ache, whereas the common cold usually affects the nose and throat only.

Practical ways to treat the symptoms of common colds and flu:
Don’t use antibiotics. Antibiotics won’t help a common cold or flu. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and do not have any effect on viruses such as colds and flu. Most viruses are fought and overcome by your immune system. If you have a cold use common sense.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids is essential to prevent dehydration. Hot honey and lemon drinks are a great way to soothe the throat and help to clear the nasal passages and sinuses. Also try inhaling steam. To assist with a sore throat, try throat lozenges, gargles and throat sprays.

Take it easy. Shifting into lower gear by staying at home - with plenty of rest - is a good idea until you're feeling better. You won't be popular if you spread your cold around the work place. Likewise if you have children who are sick, keep them at home. Kids spread germs quickly.

This information is provided by the National Prescribing Service (an independent, non-profit education and information provider about medicines).

You can go to the link below for more detailed information about the common cold and flu:

http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.23161/k.65FD/Cold_and_Flu_Guidelines.htm (this is for the American Lung Association website)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1032102 (this is the BBC website)