Cold and flu season is upon us - but how do you tell the difference between the two?

Many people confuse the two, mistaking the flu for the common cold

While the common cold and the flu can both give you the sniffles, they are caused by different viruses and vary in severity.

Shamir Patel, pharmacist and founder of Chemist-4-U.com said: “Many people confuse the two, mistaking the flu for the common cold.

“I define the difference between the cold and flu as this: if you have a cold and you see a £50 note floating around your back garden you’d go out and get it.

“If you have the flu, however, you’d let it blow away. That’s how hard the flu hits.”

Symptoms

Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, as well as a cough and sore throat, and you’re likely to need to spend two or three days in bed.

In severe cases, the flu can lead to death among vulnerable groups such as elderly people and those with underlying health conditions.

Meanwhile, symptoms of the cold include a blocked or runny nose, coughs, sneezing, a sore throat and a temperature. While it can make you feel pretty lousy, it’s unlikely to lead to anything more serious.