Q My wife started getting sick a few days before Halloween. We were worried that it was going to turn into a bad respiratory illness, but it stayed in her nose and throat. That’s a common cold, right?

The common cold and the flu are frequently confused due to their overlapping symptoms. However, they are caused by different viruses and require distinct approaches to care and management.

Dear Dr. Roach: What is the difference between a cold and the flu? — A.T.R. Answer: Both colds and influenza (the “flu”) are respiratory illnesses that are caused by viruses. Influenza is caused ...

Dear A.T.R.: Both colds and influenza (the "flu") are respiratory illnesses that are caused by viruses. Influenza is caused specifically by the influenza viruses, which come in two main types (A and B ...

Identifying your ailment and finding the right treatment quickly can make all the difference.

Dear Doctors: My wife started getting sick a few days before Halloween. It stayed in her nose and throat. That’s a common cold, right? Why is having a cold so different from when you get the flu? An ...