You wake up coughing, sneezing and congested and feel like you don't even have enough energy to get out of bed. You're sick!

But how sick are you? While many people are able to quickly recognize that

 something is going through their system, many people are unable to differentiate between a common cold and influenza. The common cold and flu are different types of viral infections of the respiratory system. Because they share similar symptoms and may feel the same, it can be hard to tell them apart.

Both cold and flu viruses spread from person to person. This means that getting either a cold or the flu may be prevented by washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with anyone with a cold or the flu. If you are infected with the cold or flu virus, get plenty of rest to help fight the infection.  Drinking lots of fluids is also important to stay hydrated and loosen mucus.

Influenza vs. Common Cold

This chart features some tips to help you differentiate between the symptoms of influenza and the common cold.