Because of the similarity in symptoms, some people complain that they have flu when they have a cold, but there are key differences.

Flu tends to come on more quickly than a cold; has more severe symptoms that usually include a high temperature, headache and aching muscles; and it makes sufferers feel too poorly and exhausted to continue their usual activities and instead be forced to stay in bed.

Cold season is a great opportunity to talk about the seasonal flu jab. There are many groups of people who are eligible for free vaccination on the NHS – primary school children and younger, carers, pregnant women, care home residents, frontline healthcare staff and those with serious long-term health conditions – but others may opt  to pay for a vaccination privately.