flu symptoms vs cold symptoms
Flu Vs. Cold Symptoms
It is not easy to distinguish between the symptoms of cold and flu, however, knowing the condition helps in better treatment. This article provides information regarding the differences between these two conditions.
Symptom | Cold | Flu |
Onset of symptoms | The symptoms generally appear gradually. | The symptoms usually appear within three to six hours of contracting the virus. |
Sneezing | One of the most typical symptoms of a common cold is constant sneezing. | Sneezing is rare in people who have flu. |
Fever | Fever is very rare in case of a common cold. | Fever is present in case of a flu. |
Body ache | This symptom is not observed in people who have only a cold. | It is observed in people affected by this condition and may be quite severe in some cases. |
Stuffy nose and sore throat | It is commonly seen in people affected by common cold. | It is relatively uncommon in people affected by flu. |
Chills | Cold is not accompanied by chills. | Chills and fever are common in flu, as it is seen in more than half the patients. |
Headache | People experiencing a cold may or may not have a headache. If a person has a build up in the sinus cavities, then he may experience a sinus headache. | Headaches are relatively common in flu. |
Tiredness | Very rare in a cold. | In case of flu, the person may experience excessive tiredness and weakness. This is often exacerbated due to the body pain. |
Cough | If a person has a cough along with a cold, then the cough will generally be productive, that is, if it is a wet cough. | Persistent dry cough is quite common in flu. |
Chest congestion | Chest congestion and chest discomfort is relatively rare in a cold, and if present, it is mild to moderate in nature. | Chest pain and discomfort is quite common in people affected by a flu. The flu often causes a lot of congestion and chest discomfort. |
Complications | Sinus congestion, headache, and earache. | The complications of influenza include various lung diseases like pneumonia. |