Flu and cold symptoms are similar, yet treatments differ. It is important to know the difference so treatment is effective. The flu is treated with prescription medications, but a cold just has to run its course. It is important to treat the flu correctly so it does not progress into something more serious.SymptomsFlu starts all of a sudden, out of the blue, while a cold grows gradually worse. Flu comes with a fever and headache along with severe body aches. A cold rarely produces a high fever and body aches are minimal. Extreme exhaustion accompanies the flu along with chest discomfort and a severe cough. A cold may cause fatigue at first, but is not as prominent. A cold usually causes sore throat, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose and sneezing. Flu sometimes accompanies these symptoms, but not all the time. Flu can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia while a cold rarely creates more severe problems other than sinus and ear infections.PreventionInfluenza spreads through the air. Therefore, a sufferer who sneezes without cover contaminates the air. Anyone in the vicinity that breathes the air can catch flu. A sufferer who coughs into the hand, then touches a shopping cart spreads the disease when someone else touches the cart, then touches their eyes or nose. That is why it is important to wipe off shopping carts before using them. Use personal pens to sign charge recipes and if using an electronic pen be sure to wash with hand sanitizer after using. Also sanitize after using ATM machines or any other public aids that are touched. Always wipe down the public or family phone before using .TreatmentGet plenty of rest as the fatigue that comes with flu lasts several weeks. Drink tea, fruit juice and clear chicken soup. Take ibuprofen for body aches and use a cough suppressant. Create steam by letting hot water run in the shower or use a humidifier. This keeps sinuses open. Prescription medications are available, but most must be taken within the first 12 to 48 hours of the onset.Those with chronic disease, Diabetes, AIDS or HIV, those 50 or older, health care workers and teachers should always be immunized every year. They are the ones most likely to become infected or have complications.