Thursday, November 5, 2009

Still not sure if it's a cold, flu or H1N1?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS


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 flu 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.
Symptoms 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.

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