NEWS CENTER 7’S MOLLY KOWEEK IS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF 10-YEAR-OLD SABLE GIBSON, WHO DIED FROM FLU AND STREP THROAT COMPLICATIONS. THE LATEST BEGINNING AT 5 ON NEWS CENTER 7
You have a runny nose, a headache and have been feeling tired. Is it a cold, or do you have the flu?
It’s easy for people to mix up symptoms of a cold and the flu. While both typically are a annoying inconvenience, the flu can turn into something more serious. So how do you tell the difference?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared the following symptoms to tell if it’s the flu or a cold:
- Symptom onset
Cold: Gradual
Flu: Abrupt
- Fever
Cold: Rare
Flu: Usual (lasts three to four days)
- Aches
Cold: Slight
Flu: Usual (often severe)
- Fatigue/Weakness
Cold: Sometimes
Flu: Usual
- Chills
Cold: Uncommon
Flu: Fairly common
- Sneezing
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes
- Chest discomfort/Cough
Cold: Mild to moderate (a hacking cough)
Flu: Common (can be severe)
- Stuffy nose
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes
- Sore throat
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes
- Headache
Cold: Rare
Flu: Common
