Cold vs. Flu

What are common cold symptoms?

Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after

a day or two. Nasal symptoms, runny nose, and congestion follow, along with

a cough by the fourth and fifth days. Fever is uncommon in adults, but a slight

fever is possible. Children are more likely to have a fever with a cold.

How long do cold symptoms last?

Cold symptoms usually last for about a week. During the first three days that

you have cold symptoms, you are contagious. If cold symptoms do not seem to

be improving after a week, you may have a bacterial infection, which means

you may need antibiotics.

Sometimes you may mistake cold symptoms for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or

a sinus infection. If your cold symptoms begin quickly and are improving after

a week, then it is usually a cold, not allergy. If your cold symptoms do not

seem to be getting better after a week, check with your doctor to see if you

have developed an allergy or sinusitis.

What are common flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on

quickly. Symptoms of flu include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches

and soreness, congestion, and cough.

Most flu symptoms gradually improve over two to five days, but it's not

uncommon to feel run down for a week or more. A common complication of

the flu is pneumonia, particularly in the young, elderly, or people with lung or

heart problems. If you notice shortness of breath, you should let your doctor

know. Another common sign of pneumonia is fever that comes back after

having been gone for a day or two.

Just like cold viruses, flu viruses enter your body through the mucous

membranes of your nose, eyes, or mouth. Every time you touch your hand to

one of these areas, you could be infecting yourself with a virus, which makes

it very important to keep your hands germ-free with frequent washing to

prevent both flu and cold symptoms.

Is it flu or cold symptoms?

How do you know if you have flu or cold symptoms? Take your temperature,

say many experts. Flu symptoms often mimic cold symptoms with nasal

congestion, cough, aches, and malaise. But a common cold rarely has

symptoms of fever above 101 degrees F. With flu symptoms, you will probably

have a fever initially with the flu virus and you will feel miserable. Body and

muscle aches are also more common with the flu. This table can help

determine if you have cold or flu symptoms.

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Sometimes, usually mild	Usual; higher (100-102 F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3 to 4 days
Headache	Occasionally	Common
General Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness	Sometimes	Usual; can last 2 to 3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Usual; at the beginning of the illness
Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes
Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe