To reduce the spread of influenza, the typical guideline is for those who are sick to stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours. But if you begin feeling under the weather, how do you know if it’s the flu or just a miserable common cold?
Both influenza and the common cold are respiratory infections caused by viruses, but the flu tends to come on quickly, make a person feel severely ill, and present more danger of
Article Summary: A cold or the flu can make a person feel miserable, but with influenza now such a serious concern, it's important to know the difference between these two infections.
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complications than does the common cold. Although colds and flu do share some symptoms, there are also symptoms that are more characteristic of one or the other. Here is a simple comparison of cold and flu symptoms.
Symptoms of Influenza
Body Aches: Severe (+). Severe body aches and often associated with the flu.
Chills: Common (+). Chills, shivering and feeling cold, are often present with the flu.
Coughing: Common, without phlegm (+). A “dry” cough, one that does not produce mucus, is often present.
Symptoms of the Common Cold
Coughing: Common, with phlegm (+). A “wet” cough, one that produces mucus, is often present.
Nasal Congestion: Common (+). A stuffy nose is a typical symptom of those infected with a cold virus.
Sneezing: Common (+).
Sore Throat: Common (+). A scratchy or painful throat often occurs with a cold.
Body Aches: Mild (-). Slight body aches and pains can be associated with the common cold.
Chills: Uncommon (-).
Exhaustion: Mild (-). A person with a cold usually feels mildly tired and worn out.
Fever: Uncommon (-). A cold rarely results in fever.
Headache: Uncommon (-). Headaches are not typically associated with colds, unless a result of sinus pressure due to nasal congestion.
Chest Discomfort: Mild to Moderate (- / + ).
Onset of Symptoms: Gradual. Cold symptoms typically develop over the course of a few days.
Coronaviruses are one type of virus known to cause the common cold. They have a halo, or crown-like (corona) appearance when viewed under an electron microscope.
Exhaustion: Moderate to Severe (+).Fever: Common (+). Most people who get the flu develop a fever of over 100°F which typically lasts up to 4 days.
Headache: Common (+). Most people with the flu do develop a headache.Nasal Congestion: Uncommon (-).
Sneezing: Uncommon (-).
Sore Throat: Uncommon (-).
Chest Discomfort: Mild to Moderate (- / + ).
Onset of Symptoms: Sudden. The flu comes on quickly, with fever, aches, pains and headache developing over the course of only a few hours.
Although this list can be helpful in distinguishing between cold and flu symptoms, it is definitely not a substitute for a professional medical diagnosis. If you are feeling ill, please see a doctor, not a computer.