Difference Between a Cold and Flu

Symptom	Cold	Flu
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 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present.	A nonproductive (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.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present.	Sneezing is not common.
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.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present.	Sore throat is not commonly present.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate.	Chest discomfort is often severe.

Know the Difference Between A Cold and the Flu