| H1N1
| Common Cold
|
Fever
| 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.
| Fever is rare with a cold. |
| Coughing | A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). | A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. |
| Aches | Severe aches and pains are common with the flu. | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. |
| Stuffy Nose | Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. | Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. |
| Chills | 60% of people who have the flu experience chills. | Chills are uncommon with a cold. |
| Tiredness | Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. | Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold |
| Sneezing | Sneezing is not common with the flu. | Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. |
| Sudden Symptoms | The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. |
| Headache | A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. | A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. |
| Sore Throat | Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. | Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. |
| Chest Discomfort | Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold |
