Symptom |
Cold |
Flu |
Fever |
Fever is rare with a cold. |
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all
flu cases. A temperature of 100° F or higher for 3-4 days
is associated with the flu. |
Coughing |
A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present
with a cold. |
A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present
with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). |
Aches |
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. |
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu. |
Stuffy Nose |
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically
resolves spontaneously within a week. |
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. |
Chills |
Chills are uncommon with a cold. |
60% of people who have the flu experience chills. |
Tiredness |
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. |
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. |
Sneezing |
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. |
Sneezing is not common with the flu. |
Sudden Symptoms |
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. |
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard
and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches, and pains. |
Headache |
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. |
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of
flu cases. |
Sore Throat |
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. |
Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. |
Chest Discomfort |
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. |
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |
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with Baylor Health Care System