Symptoms

COLD

FLU

Fever

Rare

Characteristic, high (102°-104° F); last 3-4 days

Headache

Rare

Prominent

General Aches, Pains

Slight

Usual; Often severe

Fatigue , Weakness

Quite mild

Can last 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