There are many different kinds of viruses that result in cold and flu symptoms. They tend to be more prevalent in the winter months due to drying of the air passages by heated environments and increased sharing of air in closed buildings. Cold and flu symptoms are the result of the body s response to the virus.
Fever is the the result of substances released by the immune system to increase body temperature.
White blood cells which work to remove the virus from the body, function best at an elevated body temperature. These same substances can cause headache and body aches. The cells of the nose, throat and lung passages react to the virus by producing mucous to help expell the virus from the body. The respiratory tract tissues also become red and swollen as a result of increased blood flow to the area bringing white blood cells to fight the virus. So, you can see it may not be best to take things to get rid of symptoms.