Winter is the prime time for viruses, which means most of us are likely to end up suffering from some form of illness before the cold season comes to an end.
The beginning of the year is always the worst, with NHS data showing that flu admissions had increased during the first week of January compared with the week before.
This is likely to be due to family and friends enjoying Christmas and New Year gatherings, as well as the return to the workplace and school.
However, what is hard for many people is telling the difference between whether you have a cold or seasonal flu, as lots of the symptoms appear the same.
Here is a rough guide to help you determine what virus you might have, and what treatment you can get for it to feel better.
The common cold
This is known as rhinovirus in the medical field, but most of us will refer to it as the common cold.
It is so-called because it is spread very easily, meaning you are likely to have a common cold a few times over the winter season.
Symptoms of a cold include:
- Runny or blocked nose
- A sore throat
- Sneezing
- A cough
- Feeling tired
- Feeling unwell
- A hoarse voice
However, you might only have just a few of the symptoms and not all of them.
Some people may also have a high temperature and feel their muscles ache, which may make them think they are suffering from the flu. They might also experience a loss of taste and smell, while others could feel pressure in their ears or sinuses.
The telling sign it is a cold is that symptoms most often disappear within a few days, though this could be a little longer with young children.
Colds can be treated with over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol, as well as getting rest, drinking lots of fluid, eating healthily, and breathing in steam to unblock the nose.
Influenza
When it comes to flu, or influenza, the symptoms can feel the same but a lot worse.
Symptoms
Here are the most common signs you have flu:
- Dry cough or sore throat
- Headaches
- High temperature
- Tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pains
While this viral infection often gets confused with the common cold, it can make the patient feel very ill.
It can also be dangerous to vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly and those who are immunosuppressed, as their immune systems are not as strong.
Treatment
There are lots of at-home remedies to relieve the symptoms of flu, including:
- Paracetemol
- Ibuprofen
- Drink plenty of water
- Rest and sleep
- Staying warm
If you start experiencing sudden chest pain, coughing up blood or have difficulty breathing, it is essential to seek medical help immediately, as complications from flu can be fatal.
In fact, the flu can be so severe that 7,757 people died from the virus in 2025.
Flu vaccine
That is why it is essential to have a flu jab at your local pharmacy, whether you are eligible for one on the NHS or pay for one privately.
Those who can get the flu vaccine for free include:
- Everyone over 65 years old
- Anyone with certain medical conditions
- People living with those who are immunocompromised
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All pregnant women
- Children aged two and three years old
Children at school are also given a nasal spray vaccine to protect themselves from the serious virus.
Last year, uptake for the flu vaccine was low, which could be why there was a high mortality rate. Just over half of all primary school children in the UK; 41.7 per cent of two-year-olds; and 44.6 per cent of three-year-olds received their spray.
To prevent the nasty symptoms of the flu, it is essential more people receive their jab, as this will create herd immunity and prevent the virus from spreading.