With winter just around the corner, many of us have found ourselves with the sniffles.

But we all know it can be difficult to tell the difference between a standard cold and influenza.

Last month, health officials warned that England could be set for an early flu season .

Hospital admissions in September were higher than in the same period over the last four years, according to the UK Health Security Agency's first weekly winter respiratory virus surveillance report .

Meanwhile, the NHS National Medical Director, Professor Frankie Swords, said there were “slightly ominous” signs of winter pressure for the health service.

As such, recognising how cold and flu symptoms differ is vital for protecting your health throughout the winter months.

Here’s what to know.

What causes the flu and what causes a cold?

Colds and flu are both respiratory illnesses, but are caused by different viruses.

“Colds are primarily caused by viruses, with rhinovirus being the most common culprit,” says Dr Naveed Asif, GP at…