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The common cold and influenza, also called “the flu”, are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses with different symptoms. Use this chart to learn the difference between the two. The term “stomach flu” is used to describe an illness with symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, but the “stomach flu” is not the same thing as influenza.
Cold vs. Flu: Know the Difference
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet
For further information call or visit us on the World Wide Web
Acute Disease Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Phone (405) 271-4060
OSDH 09/11
Symptoms
Common Cold
Flu
● Appearance of Symptoms
Symptoms appear gradually
Symptoms appear suddenly—can appear within 3—6 hours
● Fever
Uncommon
Common—100 to 102°F or higher, lasting 3—4 days
● Chills
Uncommon
Common
● Headache
Uncommon
Common—can come on suddenly and be severe
● Muscle Aches and Pains
Uncommon or mild
Common—can be severe
● Feeling Tired and Weak
Sometimes—usually mild
Common—can be moderate to severe; can last for 2—3 weeks; extreme tiredness can occur suddenly
● Cough
Common—mild to moderate hacking
Common—can become severe and last for several weeks
● Stuffy Nose
Common
Sometimes
● Sneezing
Common
Sometimes
● Sore Throat
Common
Sometimes
● Chest Discomfort
Sometimes—can be mild to moderate
Common—can be severe
Treatment
● Antihistamines
● Decongestant
● Pain reliever/fever reducer
● Rest and plenty of water
● Antiviral medicines—see a doctor as soon as possible
● Antihistamines
● Decongestant
● Pain reliever/fever reducer
● Rest and plenty of water
Prevention
● Use good hand hygiene
● Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold
● Cover your cough and sneezes
● Clean all surfaces touched by you and others often
● Stay home when sick
● Annual vaccination
● Use good hand hygiene
● Avoid close contact with anyone who has the flu
● Cover your cough and sneezes
● Clean all surfaces touched by you and others often
● Stay home when sick
● Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications
Complications/Severity
● Sinus congestion
● Middle ear infection
● Asthma
● Usually does not cause severe health problems
● Bronchitis
● Pneumonia—can be life threatening
● Sinus and ear infections
● Sepsis
● Secondary bacterial infections
● Hospitalization can occur
Object Description
| Okla State Agency |
Health, Oklahoma State Department of |
| Okla Agency Code |
'340' |
| Title | Cold vs. flu : know the difference. |
| Authors |
Oklahoma. Acute Disease Service. |
| Publisher | Oklahoma State Department of Health |
| Publication Date | 2011-09 |
| Publication type |
Fact Sheet |
| Subject |
Influenza--Popular works. Cold (Disease)--Popular works. |
| Purpose | The common cold and influenza, also called “the flu”, are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses with different symptoms. Use this chart to learn the difference between the two. The term “stomach flu” is used to describe an illness with symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, but the “stomach flu” is not the same thing as influenza. |
| Series | Public health fact sheet |
| OkDocs Class# | H845.1 C688f 2011 |
| Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
| ODL electronic copy | Downloaded from agency website: http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/Cold%2520vs%2520Flu%2520Know%2520the%2520Difference.pdf |
| Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
| Language | English |
| Date created | 2012-04-30 |
| Date modified | 2012-04-30 |
Description
| Title | Cold vs Flu Know the Difference 1 |
| Full text | The common cold and influenza, also called “the flu”, are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses with different symptoms. Use this chart to learn the difference between the two. The term “stomach flu” is used to describe an illness with symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, but the “stomach flu” is not the same thing as influenza. Cold vs. Flu: Know the Difference Public Health Fact Sheet Public Health Fact Sheet For further information call or visit us on the World Wide Web Acute Disease Service Oklahoma State Department of Health Phone (405) 271-4060 OSDH 09/11 Symptoms Common Cold Flu ● Appearance of Symptoms Symptoms appear gradually Symptoms appear suddenly—can appear within 3—6 hours ● Fever Uncommon Common—100 to 102°F or higher, lasting 3—4 days ● Chills Uncommon Common ● Headache Uncommon Common—can come on suddenly and be severe ● Muscle Aches and Pains Uncommon or mild Common—can be severe ● Feeling Tired and Weak Sometimes—usually mild Common—can be moderate to severe; can last for 2—3 weeks; extreme tiredness can occur suddenly ● Cough Common—mild to moderate hacking Common—can become severe and last for several weeks ● Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes ● Sneezing Common Sometimes ● Sore Throat Common Sometimes ● Chest Discomfort Sometimes—can be mild to moderate Common—can be severe Treatment ● Antihistamines ● Decongestant ● Pain reliever/fever reducer ● Rest and plenty of water ● Antiviral medicines—see a doctor as soon as possible ● Antihistamines ● Decongestant ● Pain reliever/fever reducer ● Rest and plenty of water Prevention ● Use good hand hygiene ● Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold ● Cover your cough and sneezes ● Clean all surfaces touched by you and others often ● Stay home when sick ● Annual vaccination ● Use good hand hygiene ● Avoid close contact with anyone who has the flu ● Cover your cough and sneezes ● Clean all surfaces touched by you and others often ● Stay home when sick ● Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications Complications/Severity ● Sinus congestion ● Middle ear infection ● Asthma ● Usually does not cause severe health problems ● Bronchitis ● Pneumonia—can be life threatening ● Sinus and ear infections ● Sepsis ● Secondary bacterial infections ● Hospitalization can occur |
| Date created | 2012-04-30 |
| Date modified | 2012-04-30 |