Cold or Flu: 10 Ways to Tell the Difference

THE COMMON COLD

* Cause: Multiple viruses can do it
* When: Anytime of the year
* How Spread: Droplets from nose and throat
* Incubation: Can be up to 2 weeks
* Fever: Occasionally
* Chills: Rarely
* Muscle Aches: Occasionally
* Headaches: Occasionally
* Sore Throat: Mild and intermittent
* Cough: Common
* Diarrhea: Can be common
* Vomiting: Can be common
* Pneumonia: Very uncommon
* Treatment: Over the counter medications for symptoms
* Prevention: Careful hand washing

THE FLU

* Cause: Influenza A or B virus
* When: Late fall and winter
* How Spread: Droplets from nose and throat
* Incubation: Usually 2 days
* Fever: Almost always
* Chills: Common
* Muscle Aches Common and sometimes severe
* Headaches: Common
* Sore Throat: Painful and more persistent
* Cough: Common
* Diarrhea: Uncommon
* Vomiting: Not usually
* Pneumonia: Can occur
* Treatment: Amantidine or Rimantidine
* Prevention: Flu vaccine/ Hand washing

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