Cold and Flu Differences
Q: What's the difference between a cold and the flu?
Dr. Donnica: The symptoms of flu are generally much worse than a bad
cold. Check the table below for a comparison of flu and cold symptoms:
| |
Symptoms of the Flu |
Symptoms of a Cold |
| Onset |
sudden |
gradual |
| Fever |
high (over 101 F); lasts 3-4 days |
rare |
| Cough |
nonproductive; can become severe |
hacking |
| Headache |
prominent |
rare |
| Muscle aches |
characteristic; can be severe |
slight |
| Fatigue/weakness |
Can last 2-3 weeks |
very mild |
| Extreme exhaustion |
early and prominent |
never |
| Chest discomfort |
Common |
mild to moderate |
| Stuffy nose |
sometimes |
very common |
| Sneezing |
sometimes |
very common |
| Sore throat |
sometimes |
very common |
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Created: 10/16/2000 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
