Public Service Announcement

Just thought I'd pass this along....

Difference Between Cold and H1N1 Flu

Fever
• Fever is rare with a cold.
• 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.


Coughing
• A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
• A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).


Aches
• Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
• Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.


Stuffy Nose
• Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
• Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.


Chills
• Chills are uncommon with a cold.
• 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.


Tiredness
• Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
• Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.


Sneezing
• Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
• Sneezing is not common with the flu.


Sudden Symptoms
• Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
• The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.


Headache
• A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
• A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.


Sore Throat
• Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
• Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.


Chest Discomfort
• Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
• Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.