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Cold VS Flu Chart |
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Symptom |
Cold |
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Flu
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Fever |
Fever is rare with a cold. |
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Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100 degree F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu. |
Coughing |
A hacking, productive (mucous-producing) cough is often present with a cold. |
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A non-productive (non-mucous 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. |
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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. |
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Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. |
Chills |
Chills are uncommon with a cold. |
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Chills are fairly common in most flu cases. 60% of flu cases include chills. Chills and shivering are a normal reaction to a cold environment, but unexplained chills can also be a sign of the flu. |
Tiredness |
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. |
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Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu |
Sneezing |
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. |
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Sneezing is not common with the flu. |
Sudden Symptoms |
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. |
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The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes a sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
Headache |
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. |
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A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
Sore Throat |
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. |
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Sore throat has been reported in individuals with confirmed cases of flu. |
Chest Discomfort |
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. |
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Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |
