Since both common cold and flu are respiratory illnesses, it is difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of the two. However, doctors recommend that severity of symptoms can help determine whether it is cold or flu.
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days, whereas H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Symptoms of cold and H1N1 are compared below:
Stuffy Nose
•Stuffy or a runny nose is commonly present with a cold.
•Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Sneezing
•Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
•Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Fever
•Fever is rare with a cold.
•Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80 percent of the cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
Chills
•Chills are uncommon with a cold.
•60 percent of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
Coughing
•A mucus- producing cough is often present with a cold.
•A non-mucus producing i.e. a dry cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu.
Sore Throat
•Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
•Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Body Aches
•Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
•Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
Tiredness
•Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
•Severe tiredness or fatigue is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
Headache
•A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
•A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80 percent of flu cases.
Chest Discomfort
•Chest congestion is mild to moderate with a cold.
•Chest congestion is often severe with the H1N1 flu.
7 Ways to Avoid Swine Flu
•Frequently wash your hands with soap and water. Keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose and eyes.
•Cover your mouth while you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterwards. Or better still sneeze in your elbow so as not to transfer the germs to your hands.
•Since swine flu is contagious, avoid being near the already sick persons
•Get regular seasonal flu vaccination, as prevention is better than cure
•In order to keep your immune system
healthy, eat a balanced diet, indulge in regular physical activity and sleep for minimum eight hours.
•If you become ill and have flu, stay at home for at least 24 hours. This way it will prevent the further spread of the disease.
If you experience severe symptoms, immediately consult your doctor for he can recommend some antibiotics after proper diagnoses.
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