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Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

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Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

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Is It a Cold or the Flu?

Below are cold symptoms and flu symptoms. See the differences and similarities between a cold and the flu.

Symptoms	Cold	Flu

Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (100-102°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	None	Annual vaccination; Symmetrel, Flumadine, or Tamiflu (antiviral drugs)

Treatment	Only temporary relief of symptoms	Symmetrel, Flumadine, Relenza, or Tamiflu within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms