Is it a cold or the flu?

Symptoms

Cold

Flu

Fever

Rare

Characteristic, high
(102-104 F)Lasts 3-4 days

Headache

Rare

Prominent

General Aches, Pains

Slight

Usual; often severe

Fatigue, Weakness

Quite mild

Can last up to 2-3 weeks

Extreme Exhaustion

Never

Early and prominent

Stuffy Nose

Common

Sometimes

Sneezing

Usual

Sometimes

Sore Throat

Common

Sometimes

Chest Discomfort, Cough

Mild to moderate; hacking cough

Common; can be severe

Complications

Sinus congestion

Bronchitis, pneumonia; or earache can be life-threatening

Prevention

None

Annual vaccination

Treatment

Only temporary relief of symptoms

Treatment of symptoms possible amantadine or rimantadine