|
Fever |
Fever is rare with a
cold. |
Fever is usually
present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100 F or
higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
|
|
Coughing |
A hacking, productive
(mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
|
A nonproductive
(non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred
to as dry cough). |
|
Aches |
Slight body aches and
pains can be part of a cold. |
Severe aches and
pains are common with the flu. |
|
Stuffy
Nose
|
Stuffy nose is
commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
|
Stuffy nose is not
commonly present with the flu. |
|
Chills |
Chills are uncommon
with a cold. |
60% of people who
have the flu experience chills.
|
|
Tiredness |
Tiredness is fairly
mild with a cold. |
Tiredness is moderate
to severe with the flu. |
|
Sneezing |
Sneezing is commonly
present with a cold. |
Sneezing is not
common with the flu. |
|
Sudden
Symptoms
|
Cold symptoms tend to
develop over a few days. |
The flu has a rapid
onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high
fever, aches and pains. |
|
Headache |
A headache is fairly
uncommon with a cold. |
A headache is very
common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
|
|
Sore
Throat
|
Sore throat is
commonly present with a cold. |
Sore throat is not
commonly present with the flu..
|
|
Chest
Discomfort
|
Chest discomfort is
mild to moderate with a cold. |
Chest discomfort is
often severe with the flu. |
