Cold or flu? Experts on how to tell the difference as Christmas 'flunami' sweeps the UK... and when you need to seek medical help
Many of will be plagued with runny noses, coughs and sore throats this winter. But it can be tricky to tell whether it's a cold or the flu responsible.
Flu figures released this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show cases and hospitalisations have continued to rise.
More than 17 million flu vaccinations have been administered in the UK this year, but still experts fear the outbreak of flu will continue to pick up pace in the coming weeks as a result of more people socialising indoors over Christmas and the New Year.
Separate figures reveal the vomiting bug norovirus — which can also cause diarrhoea — have hit a decade-high.
It comes as health leaders have already warned the health service must brace itself for a 'quad-demic' driven the four winter illnesses — flu, Covid, norovirus and cold-like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
So what are the tell-tale signs of the flu and norovirus? And how can you tell them apart from the common cold?
Here, MailOnline breaks down the difference between each illness and when you should seek medical help.
Flu figures released this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show cases and hospitalisations have continued to rise
Colds
Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of a cold, but these minor infection of the nose and throat can be due to one of more than 200 different viruses.
If symptoms are mostly restricted to the upper airways, it is likely to be a cold.
Dr Jamie Winn at Universal Drugstore said: 'The common cold and the flu belong to two different viruses, common colds are rhinoviruses whereas flu is from influenza strains.
'Typically the flu tends to be more severe, with more sudden symptoms, and can lead to more complications.'
He explained that while the common cold typically causes a cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion — while the flu can cause a high fever, body aches, and chills.
However, the overlap in symptoms between a cold and the flu, including sneezing and a blocked nose can make clinical diagnoses challenging.
Dr Winn explained that viruses that cause flu and the common cold thrive in cold temperatures, meaning cases are more likely to rise in the winter months.
He said: 'Studies show that viruses, especially flu, travel better in dry air, and colder temperatures mean dryer air.
'Alongside this temperature change, less sunlight means people get less Vitamin D which can help to protect the immune system and protect from respiratory viruses.'
Graphic shows the common symptoms (green tick), occasional and possible symptoms (orange circle) and the symptoms that never occur (red cross) with the common cold, flu and Covid
Another reason for the spread of flu during winter is people spend more time indoors, where there is less ventilation.
He said: 'With the festive season, we also see an increase in travel which can help to spread any cold and flu viruses around the country.
'People also tend to increase their alcohol consumption at this time of year, something which can lower the immune system and make us more susceptible to catching viruses.'
There is no cure for the common cold, but there are a few ways of soothing the symptoms.
Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, breathing in steam to ease your blocked nose and drinking hot lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat are all simple ways to treat a cold.
Flu
Triggered by influenza viruses, the illness usually causes people to have a cough, which is also seen with common colds.
But symptoms of the flu are typically much more intense than colds and can even cause stomach issues.
It can prove fatal in some cases if complications, such as pneumonia, arise among the most vulnerable.
Professor Ron Eccles, who ran the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University before retiring from the university in 2017, told MailOnline: 'Flu typically causes chills, a fever, headaches, muscle aches and pains.
'The flu feels worse because the symptoms affect the whole body and are not restricted to the upper airways.'
He added: 'Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea are also more prevalent in influenza cases.'
Latest UKHSA data shows flu cases are surging. Just over one in five tests (21.7 per cent) of Brits of all ages with coughs and colds carried out at the end of last week came back positive for the influenza virus.
Rates were highest among 5 to 14-year-olds at 39.8 per cent, up on the 30 per cent logged in the previous week.
NHS data released this week also suggested flu hospital admissions in England have already surpassed last year's peak and are running at their highest level so far this winter.
Figures show more than 2,600 beds alone have been taken up by flu patients, an increase of almost 40 per cent on last week (1,795).
Of these, 125 were in critical care — up 90 per cent on the previous seven days.
Dr Winn explained most people with the flu will be contagious three to four days after their symptoms begin.
'In order to help prevent the spread, it’s important to practice good hygiene such as hand washing and using tissues, avoid close contact with others if you have symptoms, and ensure the space you’re in is well ventilated,' he added.
Since September, health officials have urged the millions of people in England eligible to come forward for their flu jabs, to reduce their risk of becoming severely unwell and needing hospital care.
More than 17 million flu vaccinations have been administered in the UK this year, but still experts fear the outbreak of flu will continue to pick up pace in the coming weeks as a result of more people socialising indoors over Christmas and the New Year
Dr Winn said: 'Flu vaccinations are incredibly important, not just for yourself but also for community protection.
'A regular flu jab will stop you from getting sick and can prevent further complications. It also carries the benefit of keeping your immunity high against new strains.
'Secondary to this, regular flu jabs also help protect more vulnerable members of your family and community and reduce the strain on healthcare systems.'
Just like treating a cold it's important to get plenty of of rest and drink lots of fluids.
You can also take over-the-counter medications.
Dr Winn said: 'Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with headaches, muscle aches, and fever. Guaifenesin can loosen mucus to clear your airways.
'Pseudoephedrine can help with a stuffy nose while an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine can stop a runny nose. And if you are coughing, look for products with dextromethorphan.'
But he warns that you should keep an eye on your symptoms to make sure you do not have something more serious.
'With either the flu or a cold, consider visiting a doctor if your symptoms persist for over a week or if you have a high temperature, difficulty breathing, or other signs of infection,' he explains.
Rates of the vomiting bug, which can also cause diarrhoea, are also more than double the levels seen pre-Covid for this time of year, fresh figures show
Norovirus
According to figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the total number of norovirus reports this year (4,523) was also more than double that of five years ago (2,057).
There were 782 confirmed cases of the bug between November 25 and December 8.
It marks a rise of a fifth on the 649 reported in the previous fortnight and is almost double the that of five years ago (400).
Since the start of the 2024/2025 season, the number of norovirus outbreaks reported in hospital settings is also 24 per cent higher than the five-year average.
However, actual case numbers nationwide may be even higher.
This is because the figures are based on positive laboratory reports and NHS hospitals reporting suspected and confirmed norovirus outbreaks.
Most of those infected suffer nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting and recover at home.
But norovirus can pile pressures on hospitals because infected patients need to be isolated in single rooms or wards need to be closed to new patients to contain the spread.
The majority of people will not need to speak to a doctor about a norovirus infection.
In most cases, it will clear up on its own.
Rest and having lots of fluid are often recommended by health chiefs to help recover. Paracetamol may also aid a fever or aches and pains.
Rehydration drinks, such as Dioralyte, which replace crucial salts as well as water, can be bought from a pharmacist.
Parents are advised to avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children with norovirus, as this can make the diarrhoea worse.
Many patients also ask doctors for antibiotics, but these are ineffective against viruses.
Patients with particularly severe projectile vomiting and diarrhoea can, however, get anti-sickness medicines from a GP.
