| Symptom |
Cold |
H1N1 Flu |
| Fever |
Fever is rare with a cold. |
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80 percent of all
flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is
associated with the flu. |
| Coughing |
A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present
with a cold. |
A non-productive (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. |
Sixty percent 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 and present in 80
percent of flu cases. |
| Sore throat |
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. |
Sore throat is not very common 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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