FEATURE ARTICLE

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLD OR THE FLU

The symptoms of seasonal flu and H1N1 flu are similar, but how can you tell whether the symptoms point toward a cold or the flu?

• A fever is rare with a cold but usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100° or higher for three to four days is typically associated with the flu.
  
  
• A hacking, productive cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive, dry cough is usually present with the flu.
  
  
• Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Moderate to severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
  
  
• A stuffy nose is common with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. A stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
  
  
• Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
  
  
• Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
  
  
• Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
  
  
• Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu typically has a rapid onset within three to six hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
  
  
• A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is present in 80% of flu cases.
  
  
• A sore throat is common with a cold and not common with the flu.
  
  
• Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold and is often severe with the flu.