IS IT THE 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; amantadine or rimantadine (antiviral drugs) |
| TREATMENT | Only temporary relief of symptoms | Amantadine or rimantadine within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms |
From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases