Those Nasty Bugs

Is it a cold or is it the flu? SYMPTOM: Fever

COLD: None or low-grade (below 100 F)

FLU: Always lasts 3-4 days

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SYMPTOM: Chills

COLD: Rare

FLU: Common

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SYMPTOM: Headache

COLD: Absent or mild

FLU: Common

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SYMPTOM: Body aches

COLD: Common

FLU: Common, often severe

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SYMPTOM: Fatigue / weakness

COLD: Mild

FLU: Often extreme, may last 2-3 weeks

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SYMPTOM: Cough

COLD: Common, dry / hacking

FLU: Common, mucus-producing, may become severe

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SYMPTOM: Runny, stuffy nose

COLD: Common

FLU: Sometimes

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SYMPTOM: Sore throat

COLD: Common

FLU: Sometimes

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SYMPTOM: Sneezing

COLD: Common

FLU: Rare

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SYMPTOM: PREVENTION

COLD: None

FLU: Annual vaccination for influenza types A and B. Prescription antiviral medication, rimantadine or amantadine, for influenza type A only in adults and children.

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SYMPTOM: TREATMENT

COLD: Only temporary, symptomatic

FLU: Prescription antivial relief from cough / cold medicine medication, rimantadine or amantadine, for influenza type A only in adults.

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SYMPTOM: COMPLICATIONS

COLD: Sinus congestion, earache

FLU: Bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis. Possibly life-threatening for high-risk individuals such as the elderly.

Source: Forest Laboratories Inc.