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New Mexico State University

The Difference Between a Cold and Flu

Symptoms Cold    Flu  
Fever Rare   Usually High (102°F to 104°F)
  Lasts 3 to 4 days.
Cough Hacking   Common.  Can become severe.
Chest Discomfort Mild   Common.   Can become severe.
Sore Throat Common   Sometimes
Sneezing Usual   Sometimes
Stuffy Nose Common   Sometimes
Extreme Exhaustion Never   Early and Prominent
Fatigue and Weakness Quite Mild      Can last up to 3 weeks.
General Aches and Pains        Slight   Usual; often severe
Headache Rare   Prominent
Wondering if you should go to class or to work?

Here's how to tell whether you are well enough to go to work or class, or if you need to seek medical care.

  • SNEEZING: If you are sneezing, itching, or sniffling - but not achy or feverish, it's probably allergies.
    GO TO CLASS OR WORK!
  • CHILLS or SWEATS:  If you are drenched with sweat, you likely have a fever. When you have a fever,
    DO NOT GO TO CLASS OR WORK! YOU ARE CONTAGIOUS. SEEK MEDICAL CARE!
  • COUGHING: 
    • If infrequent and feels like a tickle in the throat or postnasal drip, the cough may be allergies or the common cold. Unless you have other symptoms such as fever or aches - GO TO CLASS OR WORK!
    • If your cough is painful, productive, causes wheezing or you feel short of breath - SEEK MEDICAL CARE!
  • PINKEYE:  If your eyes are bright red, there's a discharge, or your eyelashes are getting matted, that is likely pinkeye -- WHICH IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS    DON'T GO TO CLASS OR WORK. SEEK MEDICAL CARE!
  • SINUS PAIN:  Pain around eyes, top of forehead, cheekbones, even the top of your teeth, may be a sinus infection or the common cold. CALL IN SICK OR DON'T GO TO CLASS, AND SEEK MEDICAL CARE!
  • EARACHE: If your ear really hurts and you can't hear well, you may have an ear infection. Ear infections don't get better on their own.  You're not contagious, but you need to SEEK MEDICAL CARE!