H1N1 FLU vs COMMON COLD

How To Tell The Difference

Transmission of all flu viruses is human-to-human via coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth.

Symptoms of the H1N1 flu - which last up to a week - are similar to those of seasonal flu, and can include fever, chills, coughing, headache and muscle or joint pains.

To avoid spreading the infection, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that those with these symptoms stay home from school, work and away from crowded settings.

Frequent handwashing is also recommended.

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100F 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
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
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.

PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY as well as YOURSELF
*stay home when you are sick
*cough or sneeze into your sleeve and wash hands right away
*keep all commonly touched surfaces clean and disinected
*wash your hands frequently with soap and water (for at least 15 seconds) or use hand sanitizer

Posted: October 15th, 2009 at 01:38pm By: stacey