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Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

Flu Guide

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Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

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Do You Have a Cold or Flu?

Feeling under the weather? Are you wondering whether it's symptoms of flu or a cold?

Because flu symptoms are quite similar to cold symptoms, it's often hard to tell the difference. But there is one clue about flu that can help you know. When you have the flu, you feel flu symptoms sooner than you would cold symptoms, and they come on with much greater intensity.

Is It a Cold or Is It the Flu?

What Are the Symptoms of the Flu?

With the flu, you may feel very weak and fatigued for up to two or three weeks. You'll have muscle aches and periods of chills and sweats as fever comes and goes. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat.

Can I Compare Flu and Cold Symptoms?

Yes. The following chart can help you compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms. Use it to learn the differences and similarities between flu and cold symptoms. Then, if you get flu symptoms, call your doctor and ask about an antiviral drug.

Symptoms	Cold	Flu

Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (100-102 degrees F); lasts three to four days

Headache	Rare	Prominent

General Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual; often severe

Fatigue, Weakness	Quite mild	Can last up to two to three weeks

Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Early and prominent

Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes

Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes

Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes

Chest Discomfort, Cough	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe

Complications	Sinus congestion or earache	Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening

Prevention	Good hygiene	Annual flu shot or FluMist

Treatment	Only temporary relief of symptoms	Antiviral drugs (Tamiflu or or Relenza) within 24-48 hours of onset