Symptoms
If you get infected by the flu virus, you will usually feel symptoms 1 to 4 days later. You can spread the flu to others before your symptoms start and for another 3 to 4 days after your symptoms appear. The symptoms start very quickly and may include
- Body aches
- Chills
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose
Typically, the fever begins to decline on the second or third day of the illness. The flu almost never causes symptoms in the stomach and intestines. The illness that some call “stomach flu” is not influenza.
Cold vs Flu Symptoms
| Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever |
Rare |
Usual; high (100°F to 102°F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3 to 4 days |
| Headache |
Rare |
Common |
| General Aches, Pains |
Slight |
Usual; often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness |
Sometimes |
Usual; can last up to 2 to 3 weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion |
Never |
Usual; at the beginning of the illness |
| Stuffy Nose |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
| Sore Throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort, Cough |
Mild to moderate; hacking cough |
Common; can become severe |
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