As respiratory virus season ramps up, many patients find themselves asking a familiar question: “Is it just a cold, or is it the flu?”. While both illnesses share common symptoms, they differ in severity, how soon symptoms appear, and how long they last. Understanding the differences can help you decide when to rest at home, and when to seek medical support. What causes the Cold and the Flu? Colds are usually cause by a variety of viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses. Influenza (flu) is caused specifically by influenza viruses. How do they differ? Although both colds and flu affect the respiratory
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