It's very well known that Common Cold and flu are caused by two different viruses. But they have similar symptoms.

Both affect the respiratory system. Common cold usually is a milder illness than the flu. While cold symptoms remain for a few days and flu symptoms remain for a few days to weeks. Recovery time for flu usually takes more time than the Common Cold. The flu can cause other serious health problems and may sometimes require hospitalizations.

What are the symptoms of Common Cold and flu?

Cold symptoms
Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat. On the fourth and fifth day nasal symptoms like runny nose, and nasal congestion, along with a cough begins. Nasal secretions present during the first few days, later, become Dark and thick. Children may have a fever, but for adults fever is uncommon. The symptoms of cold remain for about a week.
Flu
The flu is more severe than the common cold and comes quickly. Here the symptoms include sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fever. Along with soreness of throat, congestion, and cough is also associated. Vomiting and diarrhea are also seen in some cases flu like swain flu.
Elderly and young people are more prone to complications like pneumonia which may occur as a result of an ongoing flu.
Common Cold and flu is a communicable disease. It enters into the body through the secretions of the nose, eyes, or mouth. Whenever we touch these areas, our hands get contaminated and subsequently we tend to contaminate all those areas where ever we touch.
There are certain ways to get cured faster, regardless of having cold or flu. Such as:
1) Drink plenty of water: If you have cold or flu, there are chances of loosing lots of water from your body which leads to dehydration. Drinking water throughout the day make you feel better. Also, this helps the mucous to flow out easily.

2) Take Rest: When we are infected, as a natural process, our body tries to fight back the organism. During this process only the defense system in our body will be more active than any other systems of our body including our digestive system. The body will be under stress to recover back to normal. So adequate rest helps the body to recover faster than usual.

3) Have a very light food: During infectious condition our digestive system slows down, so it's good to have very light food. One can include Soups like Rice soup or vegetable soup in the recipe.

4) Avoid Diary products: Diary products tend to increase mucous secretions. So avoid it.

5) Serve the food hot: Helps to ease sour throat.

6) Gargling: If you have a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water every 3 hours. Salt kills the bacteria present in the throat, and reduces inflammation.

Taking these steps into consideration will help you attain a comfortable transition from Cold and flu symptoms to normal. If the symptoms still persists and remains for a couple of days and more, make sure that you consult a doctor.