The
way we define the Flu becomes blurred in everyday
conversation. Sometimes, no matter what aches—head, stomach,
or anything in between—we say we have the "flu." And
when we suffer from a bout of runny nose and coughing, we are as likely
to call it a cold as we are to call it the flu.
It's important to know when you have the Flu—the real flu. It's important because, unlike a common cold, a case of the flu
can lead to a case of pneumonia. Pneumonia is very serious and often
requires hospitalization. If you don't know what you have, you're
less likely to get the care you need.
In fact, the flu is marked by very characteristic symptoms. By contrast,
there are symptoms from common ailments like a "cold"
or "stomach bug" that are not always associated with
the flu. The chart below shows what to
expect from a cold, and what—and what not—to expect
with a case of the flu. Of course, if you get a flu shot the
chances of getting the flu are very slim!
| Symptoms |
COLD |
FLU |
| Fever |
Rare |
Characteristic, high
(102-104°);
lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache |
Rare |
Prominent |
| General Aches, Pains |
Slight |
Usual; often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness |
Quite mild |
Can last up to 2 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 become severe |
| Stomach ache; gastro-intestinal upset or distress |
Absent or mild |
More common among children than adults |
| Complications |
Sinus congestion
or earache |
Bronchitis, pneumonia;
can be life-threatening |
| Prevention |
Hand washing and personal hygiene |
Hand washing and personal hygiene;
Annual flu shot |
| Treatment |
Only temporary
relief of symptoms |
Antiviral medicines
—see your
doctor |
Adapted from the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases (2001)
Page updated: July 17, 2012 | Webmaster