While people with mild flu cases may downplay the severity or mistake it for a cold, in some cases, the flu can be far more serious than the common cold. Both diseases are contagious and caused by viruses, but flu symptoms can be more intense and sudden, leading to more serious complications including pneumonia in some cases.
Young children, older adults, and people with chronic conditions are most prone to complications from the flu. Below, Brian Nguyen, DO, a pediatrician with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic answers some common questions about flu season.