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Is It a Cold or the Flu?
A Guide to the Symptoms
Your child has a fever and a stuffy nose. To help her feel better, you should first know: is it the cold or the flu? Here's a quick guide to the most typical symptoms of the common cold and the flu, along with tips on prevention and treatment.
| 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 |
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About this information: This material was prepared by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
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