H1N1 Swine Flu, regular flu, & the common cold: symptom differences

Common Cold, Seasonal Flu, and H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms
Similar but Can be Told Apart

It is increasingly clear, especially with the updates from the CDC on November 3rd, that it is important to know the differences between the symptoms of H1N1 swine flu, the regular seasonal flu, and the common cold.  

What Are the Symptoms of Swine Flu, the Regular Seasonal Flu, and the Common Cold?

The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu and the regular seasonal flu are very difficult to tell apart; the only real difference is that the swine flu symptoms seem to affect the respiratory system more heavily than the seasonal flu, making it more dangerous for asthmatics and those with other underlying respiratory issues.  For a more detailed comparison, see What is the difference between H1N1 symptoms and regular seasonal flu?

The symptoms include:

• fever (of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius); found in some 98% of cases)
• unproductive, 'dry' cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• Less common, but still frequent (about 35-40 percent of patients) are vomiting and/or diarrhea 

Onset of symptoms in both H1N1 swine flu and the regular seasonal flu tend to be very rapid, especially with swine flu symptoms, which can become severe within only a few hours of onset.

Symptoms of the common cold, although somewhat similar, are fairly easy to differentiate.  They include:

• congestion
• watery eyes
• itching in nose, throat or eyes
• productive cough
• mild fatigue
• sore throat
• sneezing
• occasional low fever

Onset of symptoms of the common cold tends to be slow, usually developing over several days.

So What are the Main Differences Between the Common Cold and Regular Seasonal Flu or H1N1 Swine Flu?

The key difference is usually the presence of a fever.  If there is a fever of 100 degrees or higher, it is probably the flu (either seasonal or swine flu), rather than a cold.

Other differences in symptoms include:

• the associated cough – generally productive (produces mucus) with a cold but unproductive (dry) with the flu
• body aches – generally mild with a cold, but severe with the flu
• chills – only common with the flu
• fatigue – mild with the common cold, but moderate to severe with H1N1 or seasonal flu
• sneezing – generally only associated with the common cold
• sore throat – only common with a cold
• chest discomfort – there is only mild chest or breathing discomfort associated with the common cold, while both varieties of flu, but especially the H1N1 swine flu symptoms, tend to cause severe discomfort in the chest and breathing
• speed of onset – if symptoms develop rapidly, it is much more likely to be H1N1 swine flu or the regular seasonal flu, rather than a cold.

photo by trumanlo

Related Articles:

• Top 5 simple ways to help prevent H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms - Everyday things you can do to greatly reduce your risk of coming down with H1N1 swine flu symptoms
• Severe H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms progression and risk factors - summary of the findings of a WHO compendium on severe swine flu cases
  
• Younger people and children more vulnerable to H1N1 Swine Flu than expected - figures from the CDC as of the middle of October indicating the disproportionate number of children affected by swine flu symptoms
• Previously healthy young women at high risk for H1N1 swine flu says study - results of two studies showing the high number of young women coming down with H1N1 symptoms
• Do I have H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms? New website may help answer - Emory University School of Medicine's self-diagnosis website helps answer swine flu symptom questions
  
• What to do if you have H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms - simple advice for those suffering from (non-severe) H1N1 symptoms

For more on natural antivirals and ways to prevent and treat Swine Flu symptoms, be sure to read:

• Natural Ways to Prevent Swine Flu
• Natural Treatment for H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms
• Natural ways to boost immune system health, for a broad look at natural ways to increase immunity
• Top Ten Overall Immune System Booster Foods, looking more specifically at immunity builders in the diet
• Natural Antiviral Alternatives for an overview of foods, herbs, and essential oils that have natural antiviral properties

For a touch of humor, be sure to check out these great I Survived the Swine Flu Panic t-shirts and more.

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