I guess it's really difficult to distinguish as we ourselves at this age are totally incapable of telling what's love. That's the starting point, I think... Nobody has ever been able to elucidate me about love in a manner that it will truly correspond to what I will feel when I fall in love.
But, there's a clear line between one and the other. A few weeks after the spark of the feelings, you'll be able to place it under scrutiny and with some thoughts you'll realise what it really is.
I (empirically) believe that when you're in love, you'll want no other person than the one you've got feelings for whereas if it's infatuation, you're still able to think about other people. Plus, when it really strikes you, I guess love is more subliminal and implicit, a feeling that grows over time and not something that is sparked spontaneously (although many believe in love at first sight). This effect will lead to what has been said above, no matter what, you'll still have affection and love for that person.
However, I must say, I think it's very subjective and relative to each person. It depends a lot on your personality and your reaction to feelings like this. Remember that no one knows you better than yourself
Edited by Animistic Anaemia, Dec 07, 2011 - 23:01.