The Flu and A Cold

Why do we get, "a cold" but we have, "the flu?"  There isn't a single strain of either, they're both undergoing constant mutations as the wave of infectious people sweeps around the planet; and yet, that's the nomenclature we use to describe one condition over the other.

What denotes the true difference between a cold and a flu now that I'm thinking about it?  There is surely a wealth of knowledge and a definitive answer on the internet, were I to choose to look, but what do I use to differentiate between the two?

Both are viral and neither can be solved by anything other than your immune system coming up with antibodies to the particular "formula" each presents.  But to me, a cold is congestion, cough, possibly a sore throat, maybe even a little fever, but it's manageable and it's more of an annoyance as you go about your daily life.  The (a) flu is a more intense version of these symptoms and usually is in the category of a "life inhibitor."  It's too much for your system to take, you can't function, even if you want to or need to, and you end up in bed, resting, feeling terrible and hoping it will be better soon.

I have called what I currently have both a cold and the flu depending on my current state of mind and my body's ability to deal with it at that point.  Right now, it feels like the flu.

The Big Boy Update:  Frustration and devastation.  If he gets angry and can't figure out something he may get upset and make a mess.  I need to go now to clean up the mess he made when he couldn't get the new dump truck to do something.  After I press the Publish button I'll find out what all the commotion was about.

The Tiny Girl Chronicles:  No!  She will say, "no" to her brother.  He may not listen, but she's starting to express her dislike of his domination.  Go little girl. 

Someone Once Said:  The surprise lies in this: The owner appraises his own property. There is a sting in the tail: Anyone can buy property against the owner’s wishes at the appraisal the owner placed on it. The owner can hang on only by raising his appraisal at once so high that no buyer wants it—and pay three years back taxes at his new appraisal.