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

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out…

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm?text=1

Often it is difficult to tell the difference because they share many of the same symptoms. Your health care provider can give you a test to determine if you have the flu.

http://www.placer.ca.gov/hhs/community_health/comm_diseases/Influenza/Seasonal.aspx

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out…

http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?af=h&f=4307

Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers

How can you tell a difference between cold,flu,fever,and allergies?

Q: Whats the difference?

A: cold= sniffles sore throatflu=queasy stomache, fever, headaches, sore throat snifflesfever= high temperatures sore throat queasy stomache and allergies tend to just be congestion sore throat and snifflesit is really hard to tell the differences though

How can you tell the difference between swine flu and normal flu/cold?

Q: It has now been confirmed that two schools in my local area have had outbreaks of swine flu. So what I want to know is how can you tell the difference between a normal cold/flu and swine flu?? I dont want to go into a panic over it and find out one of us has just got a “cold” (if we get any kinds of symptoms) but being 30 weeks pregnant I need to be careful!!Many thanks for your answers xOk guys READ THE QUESTION!! None of my family have any symptoms and I’m not getting all paranoid, I’m asking how to differentiate between the two IF we get any symptoms.!Ok guys READ THE QUESTION!! None of my family have any symptoms and I’m not getting all paranoid, I’m asking how to differentiate between the two IF we get any symptoms.!

A: Swine Flu;Swine Flu SymptomsAccording to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent cough runny nose or stuffy nose sore throat body aches headache chills fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme diarrhea and vomiting,Flu:high fever• body or muscle aches• headache• tiredness• dry cough• sore throat• runny nose

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

Q: I have what I would diagnose as the common cold. I have been all blocked and stuffy in the nose, achy and no energy. This has been going on for 4 – 5 days. Is this a cold or the flu?From the answers so far, it seems that I have never had the flu, just alot of colds. Is that possible?

A: The main characterizations of the flu are high (102-104 degrees Fahrenheit) fever, chills, and severe muscle aches.A cold is usually characterized by a variety of symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, stuffiness, sore throat, low-grade ( 100-101) fever. You’ll usually still eat when you have a cold. With flu, you usually don’t have an appetite. With a cold, you can and usually will get out of bed and go to work. With flu, you’ll usually find you can’t pull yourself out of bed, much less go to work. A lot of people confuse the two, thinking they have the flu, when they actually just have a bad cold.Yes, it’s possible you’ve never had the flu yet. When you do, you’ll never wonder about the difference again.