Phoenix Children's Urgent Care - Cold or Flu
How is a cold different from the flu?
A cold and the flu (influenza) are two different illnesses. A cold is relatively harmless and usually clears up by itself after a period of time, although sometimes it may lead to a secondary infection, such as an ear infection. The flu can also be harmless, but may progress to a more complicated illness, such as pneumonia and in rare cases, even death.
What may seem like a cold, could, in fact, be the flu. Be aware of these differences:
Cold symptoms |
Flu symptoms |
|---|---|
|
Low or no fever |
High fever |
|
Sometimes a headache |
Headache (very common) |
|
Stuffy, runny nose |
Clear nose or stuffy nose |
|
Sneezing |
Sometimes sneezing |
|
Mild, hacking cough |
Cough, often becoming severe |
|
Slight aches and pains |
Often severe aches and pains |
|
Mild fatigue |
Several weeks of fatigue |
|
Sore throat |
Sometimes a sore throat |
|
Normal energy level or may feel sluggish |
Extreme exhaustion |
How the common cold and flu are diagnosed
Most common colds and the flu are diagnosed based on reported symptoms. However, cold and flu symptoms may lead to, or be similar to certain bacterial infections, allergies and other medical conditions. Always consult your child's doctor or local urgent care center for a diagnosis.
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