Cold and flu season is upon us and with all the talk about the H1N1 flu it can be confusing. Below is a simple chart to help you tell the difference between the common cold and the H1N1 flu.
The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.
Wash Your Hands Often…
Stay Home If You Are Sick….
| Symptom | Cold | H1N1 Flu |
| Fever | is rare with a cold. | Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu. |
| Coughing | A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. | A non-productive (non-mucus 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. | 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. | Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chills | are uncommon with a cold. | 60% of people who have the flu experience chills. |
| Tiredness | is fairly mild with a cold. | Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. |
| Sneezing | is commonly present with a cold. | Sneezing is not common with the flu. |
| Sudden Symptoms | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. | The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
| Headache | A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. | A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
| Sore Throat | Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. | Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chest Discomfort | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. | Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |