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Cold or Flu: What Do I Have?
A cold and the flu exhibit many of the same symptoms. However, there are differences that you need to know about, so you can treat your symptoms properly and get better.
COMMON COLD SYMPTOMS
FLU SYMPTOMS
HOW DID THE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP?
Gradually
Rapid or sudden onset
![Icon of a bar chart with an arrow curving upward from left to right to represent an increase](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/symptoms-develop.png?auto=format)
IS THERE A FEVER?
A fever is rare
A fever ≥37.78º C is common
![Icon of a thermometer with high mercury level to represent fever.](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/fever.png?auto=format)
TIRED?
Mildly
Moderately to severely
![Icon of 3 ‘z’s which represent sleeping](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/tired.png?auto=format)
CHILLS?
Rare
Common
![Icon of a thermometer with low mercury level and a snowflake to represent chills.](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/chills.png?auto=format)
WHAT ABOUT BODY ACHES?
Slight, but usually only headaches
Usual and often severe, affects the entire body
![Icon of 2 lightning bolts touching a body to represent body aches](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/body-aches.png?auto=format)
ANY HEADACHE?
Less common
Common
![Icon of 3 lightning bolts touching the back of a head to represent headaches](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/headache.png?auto=format)
STUFFED NOSE?
Common
Less common
![Icon of 2 lightning bolts touching a nose to represent a stuffed nose](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/stuffed-nose.png?auto=format)
WHAT ABOUT SORE THROAT PAIN?
Common
Less common
![Icon of 2 lightning bolts touching the inside of a neck to represent a sore throat](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/sore-throat.png?auto=format)
WHAT TYPE OF COUGH?
Hacking cough that brings up mucus
Dry, tickly, unproductive cough
![Icon of air coming out of a mouth with force to represent coughing](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/type-of-cough.png?auto=format)
CHEST CONGESTION?
Mild to moderate
Often severe
![Icon of 3 lightning bolts inside a chest to represent chest congestion](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/neocitran/master/desktop/time_out/articles/chest-discomfort.png?auto=format)
There are distinctive differences between cold and flu symptoms, but many subtle ones as well which can lead to confusion. Understand the differences so you can recognize your symptoms and take the right approach to treating a cold or the flu.