|
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL
FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYMPTOM |
COLD |
SEASONAL
FLU |
H1N1 |
|
FEVER |
Fever is rare with
a cold. |
Fever is common with
the seasonal flu. |
Fever is usually present with
H1N1 in up to 80% of all flue cases. A temperature of 101° |
|
COUGHING |
A hacking, productive (mucus-producing)
cough is often present with a cold. |
A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal
flu. |
A non-productive (non-mucus
producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as
dry cough).* |
|
ACHES |
Slight body
aches and pains can be part of a cold. |
Moderate body
aches are common with the seasonal flu. |
Severe aches
and pains are common with H1N1.* |
|
STUFFY NOSE |
Stuffy nose is commonly present with
a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. |
A runny nose is commonly present with
the seasonal flu. |
Stuffy nose is not commonly
present with H1N1. |
|
CHILLS |
Chills are uncommon with
a cold. |
Chills are mild
to moderate with the
seasonal flu. |
60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills. |
|
TIREDNESS |
Tiredness is fairly mild with
a cold. |
Tiredness is moderate and
more likely referred to as a lack
of energy with the
seasonal flu. |
Tiredness is moderate
to severe with H1N1.* |
|
SNEEZING |
Sneezing is commonly present with
a cold |
Sneezing is common present with
the seasonal flu. |
Sneezing is not common
with H1N1. |
|
SUDDEN SYMPTOMS |
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a
few days. |
Symptons tend to develop over a few
days and include flushed
face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually
last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common. |
H1N1 has a rapid
onset within 3-6 hours.
H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and
pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual.
Diarrhea is common. |
|
HEADACHE |
A headache is fairly uncommon with
a cold. |
A headache is fairly common with
the seasonal flu. |
A headache is very
common with H1N1 and
present in 80% of cases.* |
|
SORE THROAT |
Sore throat is commonly present with
a cold. |
Sore throat is commonly present with
the seasonal flu. |
Sore throat is not commonly
present with H1N1. |
|
CHEST DISCOMFORT |
Chest discomfort is mild to
moderate with a cold. |
Chest discomfort is moderate with
the seasonal flu. If
it turns severe seek medical attention immediately! |
Chest discomfort is often severe with
H1N1. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREVENTION TIPS: |
|
|
|
ücough
& sneeze into your elbow |
|
üwash
hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 15 -20 seconds. Sing your
abc's or happy birthday to you |
|
üuse
hand sanitizer when soap & water are not available |
|
üavoid
touching eyes, nose or mouth without washing or using hand sanitizer first |
Corinne Coughlin, PA-C; Gail Joyce PA-C, Dr. Swami Gade
