Colds, Flu and Respiratory Infections: Prevention and Recovery
How colds and flu differ, what helps at home, what the evidence says about prevention and "faster recovery" products, and the warning signs that need medical care.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Overview
Colds and flu are both viral infections of the breathing passages, and their symptoms are similar. Flu tends to be more severe. [1] This page covers prevention and recovery at an overview level. It does not diagnose, and it is not a substitute for care when you are unwell.Cold or flu?
| Common cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Gradual, over 2 to 3 days [1] | Quick, within a few hours [1][2] |
| Where | Mainly nose and throat [1] | More than nose and throat [1] |
| How you feel | Unwell but able to carry on as normal [1] | Exhausted and too unwell to carry on [1] |
| Typical recovery | About 1 to 2 weeks [1] | Often gets better on its own, but can make some people seriously ill [2] |
Cold symptoms include a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, hoarse voice, cough and feeling tired. [1] Flu symptoms include a sudden high temperature, aching body, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat and headache. [2] A test or a clinician is needed to know for sure. Other illnesses such as COVID-19 can look similar, and so can allergies: see allergies vs colds.
Established care at home
- Rest and fluids. The NHS advises rest, plenty of fluids, healthy food, and salt-water gargling for a sore throat (not for children). [1]
- Pain and fever medicines. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen can ease aches and lower a temperature. Do not give aspirin to children under 16. [1][2]
- Check labels. Do not combine cold remedies with paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets, as you may take more than you should. [1] Some cough and cold medicines are not suitable for babies, children and pregnant women. [1]
- Antibiotics. They do not work on viral infections such as colds and flu. [1][2][3]
- Stay home if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough for normal activities. [1]
Honey, teas and lozenges for cough and sore throat have their own page: cough and sore throat remedies.
Preventing spread and catching a cold
Colds spread through coughs and sneezes, and the germs can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. [1] The NHS lists washing hands with warm water and soap, using and binning tissues, not sharing towels or cups, and not touching your eyes or nose. [1] It also says the flu vaccine does not prevent colds. [1] The flu vaccine helps protect against flu. [2] See vaccines and infection prevention and habits for immune health.Do supplements prevent colds or speed recovery?
The NHS says there is little evidence that vitamin C, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or help you get better more quickly. [1] Cochrane reviews are more detailed:| Product | What the review found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Regular use did not reduce colds in the general community (pooled risk ratio 0.97); colds were somewhat shorter in regular users, but not consistently when started after symptoms began [4] | Mixed |
| Zinc | May have little or no effect on preventing colds; may shorten colds already under way, with more non-serious side effects [5] | Mixed, low certainty |
| Echinacea | Not shown to help treat colds, though a weak benefit is possible [6] | Insufficient to mixed |
| Garlic | Only one trial qualified, so evidence is insufficient [7] | Insufficient evidence |
Details and doses studied: vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc and echinacea, elderberry, garlic and mushrooms.
When to get help
See a GP or clinician if you have a high temperature for more than 3 days, symptoms get worse, you feel short of breath or have chest pain, cold symptoms do not improve after 10 days, a cough lasts more than 3 weeks, or you have a long-term condition or weakened immune system. [1]For flu, the NHS advises urgent help if you are 65 or over, pregnant, have a long-term condition or weakened immune system, feel very unwell or short of breath, or symptoms do not improve after 7 days. [2] Sudden chest pain, severe difficulty breathing (gasping or unable to speak) or coughing up blood need emergency help: use your local emergency number (911 in the US). [2] Do not drive yourself. [2]
Related: immune safety and when to get help.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a cold last?
You should begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks, according to the NHS. [1] MedlinePlus says some symptoms can last 10 to 14 days. [3]
Do antibiotics help colds or flu?
No. Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, and colds and flu are caused by viruses. [1][2]
Does the flu shot prevent colds?
No. The NHS says the flu vaccine does not prevent colds; it helps protect against flu. [1][2]
Is it a cold, flu or allergies?
Flu comes on quickly and feels more severe; a cold is gradual and milder. [1] Hay fever can last weeks or months, unlike a cold. [8]
References
- NHS. Common cold. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS. Flu. Read 2026-10-22.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Common Cold. Read 2026-10-22.
- Hemila H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. PubMed record read 2026-10-22.
- Cochrane review. Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024. PubMed record read 2026-10-22.
- Karsch-Volk M, et al. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014. PubMed record read 2026-10-22.
- Lissiman E, et al. Garlic for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014. PubMed record read 2026-10-22.
- NHS. Hay fever. Read 2026-10-22.