|  | | MESPA Home > Resources for Principal Leadership > H1N1 Influenza Virus > Symptoms: cold vs. H1N1 |  | | Know the difference! | | THE SYMPTOMS OF A COLD VS. H1N1
(Provided by MESPA member Bob Lundberg.)
SYMPTOM COMMON COLD HINI FLU
Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu. In up to
80% of all flu cases.
Coughing A hacking, productive A non-productive (non-mucus producing)
(mucus-producing) cough cough is usually present with the flu:
is often present with a cold. sometimes referred to as a dry cough.
Aches Slight body aches and pains Severe aches and pains are common with
can be part of a cold. the flu.
Stuffy Stuffy nose is commonly Stuffy nose is not commonly present with
Nose present with a cold and the flu.
typically resolves
spontaneously within a week.
Chills Chills are uncommon with 60% of people who have the flu experience
a cold. chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
a cold.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly Sneezing is not common with the flu.
present with a cold.
Sudden Cold symptoms tend to The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours.
Symptoms develop over a few days. The flu hits hard and includes sudden
symptoms like high fever, aches, and pains.
Headache A headache is fairly A headache is very common with the flu,
uncommon with a cold. and is present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Sore throat is commonly Sore throat is not commonly present
Throat present with a cold. with the flu.
Chest Chest discomfort is mild to Chest discomfort is often severe
Discomfort moderate with a cold. with the flu.
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