is it a cold or is it the flu? how can i tell the difference? created by louise blackburn, rn, msn

IsIs it a Cold or is It it a Cold or is It The Flu?The Flu?

How Can I Tell How Can I Tell The Difference? The Difference?

Created byLouise Blackburn, RN, MSN

Is it a Cold or is It The Is it a Cold or is It The Flu?Flu?

Is there a fever with a Cold? --------- Rarely the Flu? -------- Characteristic, high (102-

104F); lasts 3-4 days


Is there a headache with a cold? -------- Rarely the flu? -------- Prominent


Are there general aches & pains with

a cold? --------- Slight the flu? -------- Usually; often severe


Is there fatigue or weakness with

a cold? ---------- Quite Mild

the flu? -------- Can last up to 2-3 days


Is there extreme exhaustion with

a cold? ------ Never the flu? ----- Early and prominent


Is there a stuffy nose with a cold? ------ Common the flu? ----- Sometimes


Is there sneezing with a cold? --------- Usually the flu? -------- Sometimes


Is there a sore throat with a cold? ----------- Common the flu? ----------

Sometimes


Is there chest discomfort, coughingwith

Hacking cough

a cold? ------ Mild to moderate; hacking cough

the flu? ----- Common; can be severe


In SummarySymptoms Cold Flu

Fever rare Characteristic, high (102-104) 3-4 Days)

Headache rare prominent

General aches/pains

slight Usual; often severe

Fatigue, weakness quite mild can last 2-3 weeks

Extreme exhaustion never early & prominent

Stuffy nose common sometimes

Sneezing usual sometimes

Sore throat common sometimes

Chest discomfort, cough

mild to moderate; hacking cough

common; can become severe

Symptoms Flu Swine FluFever Characteristic, high

(102-104) 3-4 daysCharacteristic, high (102-104) 3-4 days

Headache Prominent Prominent

General aches/pains

Usual; often severe Usual; often severe

Fatigue, weakness Can last 2-3 weeks Can last 2-3 weeks

Extreme exhaustion Early & prominent Early & Prominent

Stuffy nose Sometimes Sometimes

Sneezing Sometimes Sometimes

Sore throat Sometimes Sometimes

Chest discomfort, cough

Common; can become severe

Common; can become severe

Vomiting No Yes*

Diarrhea No Yes**Symptoms that differentiate flu from swine flu.

Comparison of Flu & Swine FluComparison of Flu & Swine Flu

Is it a Cold or is it the Is it a Cold or is it the Flu?Flu?

PreventionPreventionSneeze or cough in sleeve, not in your hand, or cover nose & mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw tissue in trash after using.Wash hands with soap & water for 15-20 seconds. Wash hands after:

Sneezing or coughingUsing the bathroomEatingWash hands before:EatingTouching eyes, mouth or nose; Avoid touching if possible

Alcohol-based hand cleaners may also be used.Avoid sick peopleUse social distancing (Stand at arms length away from people)Stay at home if you are ill


Source:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Publication

Department of Health & Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention Flyers

is it a cold or is it the flu? how can i tell the difference? created by louise blackburn, rn, msn

Documents

severe slide

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severe fatigue

moderate hacking cough

severe vomitingnoyes