Cold Symptoms: Cold symptoms typically begin with a sore throat that may be mild or severe. After a day or two, the sore throat improves and nasal symptoms, such as congestion or a runny nose appear. Nasal secretions begin as a thin and watery discharge, then may become thicker and darker several days into the illness. On or about the fifth day, a cough may develop. Fever may or may not be present. Symptoms disappear gradually over the course of a week.
Influenza Symptoms: Symptoms of the flu (influenza, not to be confused with the stomach flu-gastroenteritis) generally begin more suddenly than those of a cold and they are more severe. Flu symptoms include a fever, congestion, cough, muscle aches, general soreness, moderate to severe fatigue and headache. While the majority of flu symptoms fade within a week, a cough and fatigue may persist for several weeks. The presence of a fever greater than 100 degrees F is often the first symptom to distinguish the flu from a common cold.
Stay Healthy
~Nurse Lindsey