It is cold and flu season and even though these two viruses are lumped together they have their differences. It pays to know their differences, because if your cold is really a flu, you are going to want know. The flu is highly contagious and and can cause complications for people with diabetes or other chronic health conditions.
Here is a breakdown of symptoms according to WebMD.
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
| Fever | Rare | 100-102 degrees lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | Rare | Prominent |
| Aches and Pains | Slight | Usual and often severe |
| Fatigue | Quite mild | Can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Mild to moderate | Common and can be severe |
| Complications | Sinus congestion and/or earache | Bronchitis, pneumonia |
There is no cure for either the cold or the flu, and your best bet at not catching them is to wash your hands frequently.
Agnes B
Bullboxer
Yoox
I think I'm getting sick
1Let's hope it's just a cold...
My cold is thankfully moving out after only a few days. I'm feeling much better since Thursday. I had to sit out some of the holiday parties over the weekend though
2So, it's fever and the aches and pains that are the real clues... thanks! Got it!
3I hope getting sick is something on my not to do list...
4Yay for not being sick this fall and winter!
5If you've ever had the flu, trust me, you'll NEVER confuse it with a common cold.
I always thought having a stomach bug or a bad cold was the "flu", but I got the REAL flu in 2001 (the one and only time in my life) and, let me tell you, it was like NOTHING I've ever had before. Even worse than when I had mono in high school.
I was sick for over a month and literally could not get out of bed most days.
So if you're having trouble telling the difference, I'd bet anything it's just a bad cold. The flu has a lot of symptoms that a cold has, but hits you in an entirely different way.
6My current cold is not going away, and I've been taking my vitamins and drinking water like a good girl. Ugh. Thanks for the info, Fit!
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