I think it's more so that different viral infections lead to similar immune responses that then lead to common symptoms.
The coughing, sneezing, and runny nose are all symptoms of your body trying to expel irritants from your body. In the case of the flu, it's likely the inflammation from the immune response that causes these symptoms.
ZoomerBoomer42 t1_ixmpuhq wrote
Reply to comment by RebelWithoutAClue in Why are we no longer contagious even if not all influenza symptoms are gone? by cazzipropri
I think it's more so that different viral infections lead to similar immune responses that then lead to common symptoms.
The coughing, sneezing, and runny nose are all symptoms of your body trying to expel irritants from your body. In the case of the flu, it's likely the inflammation from the immune response that causes these symptoms.