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Flu Information

Is It a Cold or the Flu?

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.

Return to Flu Information

Last updated: October 26, 2004

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