Do you drag your sick self into work, snuffling and coughing, out of pure dedication and loyalty? Well, stop it! With your hardcore work ethic, you expose co-workers to the same cold or flu you are fighting.

What are colds and flu?

Common colds and flu are contagious infections that affect the respiratory system. Colds are usually confined to upper respiratory spots like the nose and throat. Flu also involves the upper respiratory system but includes the lungs.

Colds and flu are very similar in their symptoms so they can both knock you down. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out exactly what is ailing you, an important distinction because treatments differ for the two. There is no vaccine for colds and a very limited application of influenza, or flu, medicine. So here are both of their symptoms for you to recognize.

Cold and Flu Symptoms

Cold viruses may take a day or two to develop into illness. Most common symptoms of colds are: runny or stuffy nose; mild to moderate fever; cough; mild tiredness; sore throat; headache or body aches; and sneezing.

Flu symptoms come on rapidly and are similar to colds, but they tend to be more severe. In the U.S., up to 20 percent of the population gets the flu. Besides encompassing all of the aforementioned cold symptoms, flu indications include: dry, hacking cough; chills; moderate fever (but not in all instances); severe muscle or body aches, and profound fatigue lasting up to two weeks. It may include vomiting or diarrhea, but these symptoms are mostly associated with children.