According to a 2003 study in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," flu and colds account for more than 100 million doctor visits each year at a cost of over 7.7 billion dollars. Many times, people are unsure which of the two diseases they have. Flu and colds share many of the same symptoms, however, there are a few distinguishing features that can help you tell the difference.
Onset
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the symptoms of a cold develop slowly, while the symptoms of flu usually start suddenly. In fact, explains Dr. Raphael Dolin in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," patients with flu will often recount the exact time they became ill. Patients with a cold can usually tell that they are getting sick a few days before full-blown symptoms appear.
Symptoms
Colds and the flu share many of the same symptoms such runny or stuffy nose, cough and sore throat, according to the AAFP. However, the cough associated with flu is typically dry or "non-productive," while the cough associated with a cold is usually mucousy and audibly congested. Also, sneezing and watery eyes are more common with a cold, while nausea, poor appetite, dry or red eyes, and chills usually point to flu.
Severity
Flu and colds both follow a spectrum of severity. However, flu is characteristically more severe. For example, according to the AAFP, a fever under 102 degrees F usually signifies a cold, while fever over 102 degrees F is more consistent with the flu. In addition, while both colds and flu can make breathing uncomfortable or more effortful than normal, colds rarely result in serious breathing problems. By contrast, a 2009 report in the "Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infections," found that 22 percent of people with flu reported shortness of breath or other, more serious breathing problems.
References
- "Archives of Internal Medicine; The Economic Burden of Non-Influenza Related Viral Respiratory Tract Infection in the United States"; A.M. Fendrick, A.S. Monto, B. Nightengale, M. Sarncs; 2003
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition"; A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, D.L. Longer, J.L. Jameson and J. Loscalzo (Eds.); 2008
- "Clinical Microbiology and Infections; Dynamics of Clinical Symptoms in a Case With Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)"; CS Lee and JH Lee; Nov. 13 2009
