Cold vs. Flu
Viral Cold |
Flu |
|
| Symptoms | Develop over a few days | Rapid onset within a three to six hour period. Symptoms occur suddenly and are severe. |
| Fever | Most people do not have a fever with a cold. Fevers associated with a cold are usually low grade: below 101. If present, aches are mild in nature. | Nearly everyone will run a fever or greater than 101, up to four days. |
| Aches | If present, aches are mild in nature. | Severe aches and pains are common. |
| Fatigue | Usually mild, if present. | Commonly present and moderate to severe. |
| Chills | Uncommon. | Most people will have chills. |
| Cough | Usually hacking and productive. | Cough is nonproductive (dry). |
| Sneezing | Commonly present with a cold. | Uncommon with the flu. |
| Head congestion | Commonly present and resolves spontaneously within a week. | Not always present. |
| Sore throat | Commonly present. | Not common with the flu. |
| Chest discomfort | If present, mild to moderate. | Severe chest discomfort is common. |
| Headache | Usually mild to moderate and associated with sinus pressure. | Almost always present and can be moderate to severe. |
| Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea | Uncommon, rare. | Can be present. |