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Flu vs Cold
| Signs and Symptoms |
Influenza |
Cold |
| Symptom onset |
Abrupt |
Gradual |
| Fever |
Usual; lasts 3-4 days |
Rare |
| Aches |
Usual; often severe |
Slight |
| Chills |
Fairly common |
Uncommon |
| Fatigue, weakness |
Usual |
Sometimes |
| Sneezing |
Sometimes |
Common |
| Stuffy nose |
Sometimes |
Common |
| Sore throat |
Sometimes |
Common |
| Chest discomfort, cough |
Common; can be severe |
Mild to moderate; hacking cough |
| Headache |
Common |
Rare |
What are the emergency warning signs of flu sickness?
In children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:
- Being unable to eat
- Has trouble breathing
- Has no tears when crying
- Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal
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