|
Symptoms
|
Cold
|
Flu
|
|
Fever
|
Rare
|
Characteristic, high
(102-104°F); lasts 3-4 days
|
|
Headache
|
Rare
|
Prominent
|
|
General Aches, Pains
|
Slight
|
Usual; often severe
|
|
Fatigue, Weakness
|
Quite mild
|
Can last up to 2-3 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
|
|
Complications
|
Sinus congestion
or earache
|
Bronchitis, pneumonia;
can be life-threatening
|
|
Prevention
|
None
|
Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines - see your doctor
|
|
Treatment
|
Only temporary
relief of symptoms
|
Antiviral medicines - see your doctor
|
|
Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, April 2001.
|
