Both illnesses cause fever and sniffles. But the flu also causes deep muscle aches, loss of appetite and chills. Another way to tell which illness you have is to look at how it attacked you. Colds may start more gradually, but the flu comes on suddenly. You can go to bed one night feeling fine, then wake up very sick the next morning.
Flu also tends to come in waves, while colds are fairly constant.
If a lot of people around you have had the flu, chances are that's what you have. Often people say they have a stomach flu if they're nauseated or throw up, but that's not really influenza. Other Topics Health Watch is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.