| |
|
|
Gail Hacker, MD,
Medical Consultant |
|
 The Doctor Is In
Cold and Flu 
Know the Difference
| Symptom |
Flu |
Cold |
| Fever |
Usual, 100-102 degrees-could be higher, especially in young children; lasts 3-4 days |
Rare |
| Headache |
Common |
Rare |
| General aches, pains |
Usual, often severe |
Slight |
| Fatigue, weakness |
Usual, last up to 3 weeks |
Sometimes |
| Exhaustion |
Usual, at the beginning of the illness |
Never |
| Stuffy nose |
Sometimes |
Common |
| Sneezing |
Sometimes |
Usual |
| Sore Throat |
Sometimes |
Common |
| Chest discomfort |
Common |
Mild to moderate |
| Cough |
Common, can become severe |
Common, hacking |
Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; US Department of Health and Human Services (101711)
|
|
