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Cold or Flu

Is it a cold or the flu? Use this chart to find out. Adults tend to get sick with a cold 2 - 4 times a year. People generally get the flu far less often than colds. Flu symptoms are usually more severe and last longer than a cold.

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rare	Usual, high (102°F to 104°F)
Headache	Rare	Common
Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual, often severe
Fatigue	Sometimes	Usual, can last up to 3 weeks
Exhaustion	Never	Usual, at start of illness, extreme
Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes
Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough	Mild to moderate	Common, can become severe

Seek medical advice if you:

• Have difficulty breathing.
• Feel faint.
• Have a severe sore throat.
• Have a cough that produces a lot of phlegm (especially if colored green or yellow).
• Have a temperature of 102°F or higher with a cold.
• Have a temperature of 104°F or higher with the flu.
• Have symptoms that last for more than 10 days.
• Have a fever with shaking chills.
• Have a sharp chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough.
• Suffer from a chronic condition that puts you at risk.