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Send to friendIs it a Cold or the Flu?
| Symptom | A Cold | The Flu |
|---|---|---|
| When did I start feeling bad? | It took a few days to feel bad. | I felt bad right away (in 3-6 hours). |
| Am I coughing? | I have a hacking cough with mucus. | I have a dry cough with no mucus (nothing comes up). |
| Am I sneezing? | Probably. | Not usually. |
| Do I have a stuffy nose? | Probably. It will usually last about a week. | Not usually. |
| Do I have a sore throat? | My throat probably hurts or is swollen. | Not usually. |
| Am I tired? | I may be a little tired. | I'm very tired - much more than usual after work or activities. |
| Do I have a headache? | Not usually. | Probably. |
| Do I have a fever? | Probably not. If I do, it's a low fever (less than 100° F). | Probably. My temperature may be 100° F or higher for 3 or 4 days. |
| Do I have aches and pains? | I may have slight body aches and pains. | I have severe body aches and pains. |
| Do I have chills? | Probably not. | I probably have chills and shivering, even when it is warm. |
| Do I have pain in my chest? | I may have mild chest pain. | I may have severe chest pain. |
| Are my eyes watery? | Probably. | Probably not. |
| Have I lost my appetite? | Probably not. I'm still hungry. | Probably. I don't feel hungry. |
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Last updated on May 24th, 2010