Flu Symptoms vs. Cold Symptoms: What's the Difference?

by Symptom Advice on November 30, 2010

Flu symptoms could spread from one person to the next as Canadian health officials warn that the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe this holiday season with the convergence of the flu and the holidays.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, common flu symptoms include:

  • High fever
  • Headache
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Running and/or stuffy nose
  • Aching body
  • Diarrhea/vomiting

How can you tell the difference between the flu and the cold?

According to WebMD.com, flu symptoms include having a high fever, while those experiencing a common cold rarely have a fever. Furthermore, a person who experiences the flu could also experience fatigue and weakness for weeks, while the incident of fatigue and weakness in those with the cold is usually “quite mild.”

With the coming holiday, researchers are suggesting that to prevent the spread of the flu, greeting during the holiday should be limited to giving “air kisses,” as the flu is transmitted mostly transmitted through saliva.

Visit ThirdAge.com’s “Flu and Cold” page to learn more about how you can stay healthy and well this holiday season.

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