Facts you need to know
Although they’re usually more common in winter, colds have very little to do with cold weather. Colds are caused by viruses. There are over 200 viruses that cause the common cold and at least one cold virus is in circulation at any given time.
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs – but its effects can be felt through the whole body. The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract.
The symptoms of flu and colds are similar, but flu symptoms come on suddenly, whereas cold symptoms take longer to develop.
