Is It a Cold or the Flu?

Symptoms

Cold

Flu


Fever

Rare

Characteristic, high
(102-104°F); lasts 3-4 days


Headache

Rare

Prominent


General Aches, Pains

Slight

Usual; often severe


Fatigue, Weakness

Quite mild

Can last up to 2-3 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; amantadine
or rimantadine (antiviral drugs)


Treatment

Only temporary
relief of symptoms

Amantadine or rimantadine within
24-48 hours after onset of symptoms