Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Quick and Easy — Know the Difference Between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

FEVER: rarely present in a cold; usually present with the flu (in up to 80% 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 common with a cold and usually goes away on its own within a week. Stuffy nose is uncommon with the flu.

CHILLS: Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people commonly experience chills.

TIREDNESS: Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

SNEEZING: Sneezing is common with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.

SUDDEN SYMPTOMS: Symptoms tend to develop over a few days with a cold. Symptoms rapid onset within 3-6 hours. Hit hard and may have high fever, aches, and pains.

HEADACHE: Fairly uncommon with a cold. Very common with the flu, present 80% of the time.

SORE THROAT: Commonly present with a cold. Not commonly present with the flu.

CHEST DISCOMFORT: Mild to moderate with a cold. Often severe with the flu.

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