Although their symptoms may be similar, a cold is generally a much milder illness than the flu.
Colds are very common and are caused by viruses. When you have a cold, you usually have a runny nose, you might cough or sneeze a lot, and you generally feel a bit tired. Your throat might be sore and your temperature might rise slightly, but you get better in a few days.
The flu (short for influenza) is also caused by viruses, but is often accompanied by bacterial infections. When you have the flu, you get all the symptoms of a cold, but it makes you feel much worse. Your temperature might be really high when you have the flu. Your whole body aches and you feel too weak to get out of the bed.
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