Is it a cold or the flu?
| Signs and symptoms | Influenza | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Usually present | Rare |
| Aches | Usual, often severe | Slight |
| Chills | Fairly common | Uncommon |
| Tiredness | Moderate to severe | Mild |
| Symptom onset | Symptoms can appear within three to six hours |
Symptoms gradually appear |
| Coughing | Dry, unproductive cough | Hacking, productive cough |
| Sneezing | Uncommon | Common |
| Stuffy nose | Uncommon | Common |
| Sore throat | Uncommon | Common |
| Chest discomfort | Often severe | Mild to moderate |
| Headache | Common | Uncommon |



