The Difference between a Cold and Flu

There is a wide majority of people who unknowingly interchange this two type illness. Can you tell the difference between symptoms of flu and the common cold? If not, be guided on the following facts about flu and the common cold symptoms.

Symptom #1. FEVER. Fever is rare with a common cold. While fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of the flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for three to five days is associated with the flu.

Symptom #2. COUGHING. A hacking, productive (mucus producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu. This is sometimes referred to a “dry cough”.

Symptom #3. BODY ACHES. A slight body aches and pains can be part of a common cold. While severe body aches and pains are common with flu.

Symptom #4. STUFFY NOSE. Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. While this is not present in a flu symptom.

Symptom #5. CHILLS. Chills are very uncommon with a cold. And chills are fairly common in most flu cases. About 60% of flu cases include chills. Chills and shivering are a normal reaction to a cold environment, but unexplained chills can also be a sign of the flu.

Symptom #6. TIREDNESS. Tiredness is fairly mild with a common cold. Often one can do its daily chores and usually does not get tire easily. In a flu, tiredness is often moderate to severe is most of the cases.

Symptom #7. SNEEZING. Sneezing is commonly present with a common cold, while this is not common with the flu.

Symptom #8.  HEADACHE. A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Symptom #9. SORE THROAT. Sore throat is commonly present and associated with a common cold and is not commonly present with the flu.

Symptom #10. CHEST DISCOMFORT. Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Symptom #11. SUDDEN SYMPTOMS. Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3 to 6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, body aches and pains.

With the world wide spread of the Influenza AH1N1 virus which is a severe case of flu, it is very important to know the difference between a common cold and flu symptoms in order to act as quickly as possible and prevent further damage to you and your family.