Waking up with the sniffles, a cough and a fever is common this time of year. But how do you know if it’s just a common cold or the flu? Knowing the difference is important because the flu can become much more serious, says a University of Iowa health care expert.
“It can be difficult to tell whether you have a cold or the flu because the two can share a lot of the same symptoms,” said Dr. Patrick D. Brophy, professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa. “It’s important to know the difference, because the flu can cause serious complications, especially for young children, people over age 65, and pregnant women.”