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Symptoms of the common cold and influenza (flu) are similar. However, one key symptom of flu is the presence of fever. Other differences are noted in the table below.
| Symptom | Influenza | Common Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Usual, sudden onset more than 100°F, lasts 3 - 4 days | Rare |
| Sore throat | Usual | Usual |
| Cough | Dry, sometimes severe | Hacking |
| Headache | Usual and can be severe | Rare |
| Aches and pains | Usual and can be severe | Rare |
| Fatigue and weakness | Usual and can last 2 - 3 weeks, moderate to severe | Sometimes, but mild |
| Debilitating fatigue | Usual, early onset can be severe | Never |
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | In children younger than 5 years old | Rare |
| Watering of the eyes | Rare | Usual |
| Runny, stuffy nose | Rare | Usual |
| Sneezing | Rare in early stages | Usual |
| Chest discomfort | Common, often severe | Sometimes, but mild to moderate |
| Complications | Respiratory failure, can worsen a current chronic condition, can be life threatening | Congestion or earache |
| Fatalities | Well recognized | Not reported |
| Prevention | Influenza vaccine; frequent hand washing; cover your cough | Frequent hand washing; cover your cough |