How to Tell Colds From Flu

The onset of an illness you suspect is a common cold may have some symptoms similar to influenza, referred to as the flu. Both are respiratory illnesses, but caused by different viruses. Typically, a cold is less severe than the flu. It is important to recognize the distinguishing characteristics of each illness so that the proper treatment can begin at home and you can know when to seek medical attention.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Assess what cold symptoms you have. Most colds include a running or stuffy nose and sneezing. Other typical cold symptoms include sore throat, red eyes, cough and mild body aches. Sometimes people with the flu have a cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat and sneezing.

2. Take your temperature. Colds rarely have a fever; however, the flu usually has a fever around 102 degrees F that lasts for several days. Most people have a bad headache and chills.

3. Determine if you are feeling extreme exhaustion, fatigue and weakness and body aches. These symptoms are usually not present or are relatively mild with a cold.

4. Judge when the symptoms first began and how long they have persisted. The onset of a cold is usually gradual. The cold symptoms do not usually occur all at the same time, but some of them such as coughing and sore throat may have a longer duration than others. The flu normally has a sudden onset described as a "knocked-off-your-feet" feeling.

5. See your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you have the flu. The doctor can take a nasal swab to test for flu. Tamiflu is a prescribed medication that can greatly reduce flu symptoms, but it must be taken within the first two days of symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a flu vaccination in October or November to reduce your chances of getting the flu. It's available as a shot or nasal spray.
• Check with your physician if you have flu symptoms and you are over age 65 or have a history of respiratory problems or other chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.
• Make a doctor appointment if your cold develops respiratory complications, such as increased coughing or chest pain, high fever, or breathing difficulties. Consider seeing you doctor if cold symptoms persist beyond one or two weeks.
• You can still get the flu after receiving a flu vaccination. Usually the symptoms are less severe.

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