How to tell if you have flu, cold or stomach flu, and what to know

(StatePoint) While each year millions in the U.S. are sickened during flu season, many can't distinguish between symptoms of the seasonal strain of the flu, a cold and the "stomach flu." Knowing the difference, and how to properly treat each virus, can speed recovery.

Similar Yet Different

While cold symptoms come on slowly and are limited to the head and upper respiratory system, flu symptoms affect the whole body and come on quickly. Telltale signs of the flu are fever and body aches. However, these are also symptoms of stomach flu, which isn't related to a flu virus at all. Common viruses t...