Symptoms: Flu vs. Cold
| Symptom | Influenza (Flu) | Common Cold |
| Body aches | Moderate to severe | Absent or mild |
| Fever | Usual | Rare |
| Headache | Common | Uncommon |
| Chills | Common | Uncommon |
Full Answer
Can you have the flu without a cough?
Flu: Yes you can have the flu without a cough but your symptoms do not mean you Have the flu. Could be other illnesses. Could be other illnesses. 190 views Reviewed >2 years ago
What illnesses have flu like symptoms?
Potential Causes
- Flu Vaccine. If you had the influenza vaccine (by shot or nasal spray), you may have some mild flu-like symptoms for a short period. ...
- Common Cold. ...
- Strep Throat. ...
- Bronchitis. ...
- Viral Pneumonia. ...
- Mononucleosis. ...
- Coronavirus. ...
- Acute HIV Infection. ...
What causes flu like symptoms?
Causes of flu-like symptoms aside from influenza include other infections, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune conditions, cancer and recent immunizations, according to Healthgrades. Imbalances in electrolytes can also mimic the flu. Examples of infections that may produce the symptoms are bronchitis, Lyme disease, pneumonia, certain sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.
Can you have the flu without upper respiratory symptoms?
Possible, unlikely: It is unusual to have influenza without cough and often other respiratory symptoms, e.g. sore throat. It could happen, but any number of other medical ...
Is it possible to have COVID-19 without a cough?
You can be infected with the coronavirus and not have a cough. If you do have one, it may be mild and infrequent, or you may cough heavily at times. Remember that it is possible to have COVID-19 with minimal symptoms or even no symptoms at all.
How can you tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 just by looking at the symptoms alone because they have some of the same symptoms. That's why testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis.
Which one is more contagious, COVID-19 or flu?
Differences: If a person has COVID-19, they could be contagious for a longer time than if they have flu.
Are influenza (flu) and COVID-19 caused by the same virus?
Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
What are some of the first symptoms of COVID-19?
Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.
What is considered a high fever in adults for COVID-19?
A high-grade fever in adults is 103 degrees F or higher.
When is COVID-19 most contagious?
Researchers estimate that people who get infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others 2 to 3 days before symptoms start and are most contagious 1 to 2 days before they feel sick.
Are you still contagious 10 days after the first day of COVID-19 symptoms?
So, there is potential for people to be infectious beyond their seven-day isolation if they are still symptomatic. After ten days, most people are not infectious. Multiple studies have shown there is very little, if any, transmission after day ten, regardless of the variant.
How long can you test positive for COVID-19?
>People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection.
What are some of the similarities between COVID-19 and flu?
Similarities: Both COVID-19 and flu can spread from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Both are spread mainly by large and small particles containing virus that are expelled when people with the illness (COVID-19 or flu) cough, sneeze, or talk.
Can you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time?
Yes. It is possible have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
Are there different types of coronaviruses other than COVID-19?
Coronaviruses didn't just pop up recently. They're a large family of viruses that have been around for a long time. Many of them can cause a variety of illnesses, from a mild cough to severe respiratory illnesses. The new (or “novel”) coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is one of several known to infect humans.
What is the difference between a cold and flu?
Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar...
How can you tell the difference between a cold and the 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. Sp...
What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?
The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fat...
Can you have the flu, without any cold, cough, or congestion symptoms? i have chills, fever, listlessness, no energy. it started with vomiting, but none since
The : The most common symptoms of flu according to the center for disease control are: -fever (usually high) -headache -nausea, vomiting or diarrhea -fa... Read More
Can you have the flu without a sore throat or a cough and would the results to a flu test show after two days?
Les likely w/o cough: A significant non-productive cough is one of the main features of a true influenza viral infection (the flu), along with abrupt onset of muscle aches,... Read More
If you have the flu and a cold sore and accidentally cough on your underwear, will this cause you to have herpes on genitals?
Unlikely BUT: I cant imagine how this situation could occur but I guess yes it is possible IF you cough on your underwear with an active cold sore, that the virus c... Read More
Was wondering if u can have the flu without nauseau ? or maybe a cold with nauseau and if anything yiu can take for it? sore throat, cough and nose
Nausea is not...: ...A symptom of influenza. It can be a symptom of any number of dozens of other viral infections, which are often blamed for being "the flu". Influenz... Read More
I have the flu, day 5, today when i cough it feels like i'm being stabbed in my lower left abdominal area. what med will help?
Muscle pain: Your pain is likely from a muscle strain, secondary to the repetitive coughing from your illness. At this time, try taking some Tylenol (acetaminophen... Read More
I have the flu and have been taking advil cs as well as acc i still cough all the time and have no energy... what can i take i need to go on holiday i?
Doctor can check: If it's Flu A or Flu B, a doctor might use Tamiflu. If it's a cold virus, there are no useful antivirals. Some people take extra vitamin C (may upset ... Read More
I have the flu should i worry about my extreme fatigue and tiredness? i have no fever or pain no longer hardly a cough and i'm eating. this is day 3
Flu is bad: Influenza this year and most years is a very nasty experience and it lasts five to ten days. Any infection may be followed by a period of convalescen... Read More
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Symptoms include: Fever. Chills. Muscle soreness. Tiredness. Unlike the flu, Lyme disease can cause a rash where the tick bit you. It may be shaped like a bull’s-eye with one or more reddish rings. Some people with Lyme disease also have drooping of the face, or Bell’s palsy. Encephalitis.
How long does it take for AIDS to show symptoms?
The virus that causes AIDS can bring on flu-like symptoms about 2 to 4 weeks after you get infected. Some of the early possible signs of an HIV infection are:
What happens if you breathe in carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide poisoning is an emergency. If you breathe in too much, you could pass out and die.
Can HIV cause a fever?
Tiredness. Diarrhea. HIV infection can also cause unrelated symptoms, like : A rash on your face, neck, and upper chest after the fever. Open sores in your mouth, esophagus, anus, or on your penis. Lyme Disease. Deer ticks trigger this bacterial infection when they bite you. Symptoms include: Fever.
Can a cold cause a sore throat?
The Common Cold. Like the flu, a cold can wear you down and make you cough, sneeze, and cause a sore throat. Still, a few key clues may help you tell these viral illnesses apart. Colds usually come on slowly, and the symptoms tend to be milder. You’re more likely to get a runny or stuffy nose.
Does pneumonia make your muscles ache?
But pneumonia doesn’t come on as fast as the flu, and it’s not likely to make your muscles ache. You’re more likely to have these symptoms, too: Blue-colored fingernails and lips. Chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough.
Can meningitis cause nausea?
Some of the early symptoms of meningitis can seem like the flu. For instance, you may run a sudden high fever and get a headache with nausea or vomiting. These common viruses aren’t the same as the ones that cause the flu, but they can bring on flu-like symptoms.
Why does a cold look like the flu?
A really bad cold can look a lot like the flu because they both affect a lot of the same areas of the body, like the chest, throat, sinuses and muscles . They also both hit hard during the winter, so it's understandable why someone with a bad cold might assume it's the flu. However, there are some key symptoms that separate a cold from the flu.
Why is it important to find out if you have the flu?
The reason why it's important to find out is that each illness has a somewhat unique treatment protocol, and you likely won't get better quickly if you start treating yourself with medicines for an illness you don't have. If you suspect you have the flu, the only way to know for sure is to get tested.
How long does it take for a viral infection to clear up?
The viral version is milder and more common, and, like the flu, its symptoms usually clear up on their own after about a week with rest and fluids. The bacterial version, on the other hand, can be much more serious. If not treated immediately with antibiotics, it can cause brain damage and even lead to death.
When will the flu start in 2021?
February 02 , 2021. The flu is an especially contagious upper respiratory illness caused by one of several strains of the influenza virus, so it's not surprising that people often jump to calling flu-like symptoms the flu, especially during flu season.
Can you get the flu from nasal congestion?
While you can have nasal congestion with the flu, it's more indicative of a cold. You feel incapacitated. If you feel totally knocked out from your illness, and you're dealing with more severe symptoms, you likely have the flu.
Does bronchitis cause fever?
It's an inflammation of the lungs, so it usually involves a persistent cough that can last three weeks or longer. While it shares some symptoms with the flu, it doesn't typically cause body aches or a fever.
What is the difference between a cold and a flu?
What is the difference between a cold and flu? Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, flu is worse than the common cold, ...
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Is it normal to have a runny nose with a cold?
Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu will often surprise you with how quickly symptoms begin, and how serious the illness can become. Classically, the flu starts with a sudden onset of fever, chills, muscles aches, mild headache and fatigue. You may have other symptoms like a runny nose and cough too.
What does it mean when you have a cold?
4. Sore throat, sneezing or stuffy nose usually spells a cold. If you have these symptoms, you most likely have a cold. While sneezing or a stuffy nose could accompany the flu, they are more common during a cold. 5.
What does a dry cough mean?
3. A dry cough screams influenza. While a cough is a cold symptom and a flu symptom, the type of cough you experience is very different. The flu will cause a dry cough that does not produce mucus. A cough that is caused by a cold often produces phlegm or mucus. 4.
How long does a cold last?
Cold germs are contagious for the first three days. And while your cough and congestion can last up to three weeks, other cold symptoms that last more than a week such as fever, chest discomfort or sinus pain may be a sign of a bacterial or sinus infection. If you experience long-lasting symptoms, don’t ignore them.
How many people died from the flu in 2019?
During the 2018-2019 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that of the 35.5 million flu illnesses that happened, 490,600 hospitalizations and 34,200 deaths occurred.
How long does it take for a cold to come on?
A cold, on the other hand, comes on gradually and will last longer. Cold germs are contagious for the first three days.
Can a flu come on fast?
A flu fever will likely come on fast. This is an especially common flu symptom in kids . Keep an eye on the little ones and the elderly, as they will be more susceptible to complications. Also keep drinking liquids and get lots of rest.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Severe aches in the muscles and joints is one of the hallmark symptoms of the flu. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat and runny nose, fever, headache, pain and tiredness around eyes. The common cold. Body aches all over. Cold symptoms appear over the course of a few days.
How long does it take for the flu to go away?
According to Harvard Medical School, 3 symptoms usually develop from one to four days after exposure to the virus and last for five to seven days.
Why is strep throat different from regular sore throat?
Strep is different from the regular sore throat that usually precedes a flu or a cold because it is bacterial in nature, while the latter is viral.
How long does mono last?
Mono. Body aches. Symptoms last for a long time (1-2 months) Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes all over the body, fatigue, loss of appetite. Strep. Body aches. Throat is very sore (often with white patches), and there is no cough. Fever, swollen lymph nodes, red dots on back of roof of mouth, swollen tonsils. Arthritis.
How long does it take for a cough to get better?
Your cough doesn't get better in a few weeks . Your symptoms are very severe, are getting worse, or have lasted longer than two weeks. You have shortness of breath. Your infant has a cold, or you're pregnant or breastfeeding and develop a cold, your cold worsens after the 3rd day.
How to diagnose pneumonia?
The most common include listening to and X-raying your lungs, though some people might need other kinds of tests, like blood tests or sputum tests.
Can strep throat cause coughing?
Note: Step throat does not usually cause a cough. If you have a cough and a sore throat, it's more likely that you either have a cold or the flu. You'll need to see a doctor for diagnosis of strep throat — they can perform a quick test to determine if it is, in fact, the cause of your illness.