Can you tell the difference between symptoms of the flu and the common cold? Flu symptoms typically come on suddenly and include fever, aches, chills, and tiredness – but how do they differ from cold symptoms?
Cold & Flu Symptoms Chart
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Fever is rare with a cold. | Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for 3-4 days is associated with the flu. |
| Coughing | A hacking, productive (mucous producing) cough. Is often present with a cold. | A non-productive (non-mucous forming) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as a dry cough). |
| Aches | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. | Severe body 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. | 60% 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 the cold. | A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
| Sore Throat | Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. | Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chest Discomfort | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. | Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |