It's flu season and health officials are worried that the H1N1 flu could hit hard and spread rapidly. But how can sufferers tell he they have H1N1 flu or merely a cold? There are several difference between the common cold versus H1N1 flu.
Fever, Body Aches, and Chills
Fever is rare with a cold but according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 80 percent of people who have the flu have a temperature above normal. A temperature of 100F or higher that lasts for three to four days is a symptom of H1N1 flu. Chills are not common with a cold, but 60 percent of people who have H1N1 flu have chills.
It’s not uncommon for cold sufferers to experience minor aches and pains. But if body aches are severe, that’s a symptom of the H1N1 flu.
Stuffy Nose, Coughing and Sneezing
People suffering from a cold often have a stuffy nose that clears within a week. However, a stuffy nose is not usually a symptom of H1N1 flu. Also, cold sufferers have a hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough, while those with H1N1 flu have a dry, non-mucous cough.
If you’re sneezing, you probably have a cold; sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Headache, Sore Throat and Chest Congestion
Nearly 80 percent of people with H1N1 flu have a moderate to severe headache, while a headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. Do you have a sore throat? You probably have a cold and not the H1N1 flu. Sore throats are not usually present with H1N1.
Also, chest discomfort can be very severe for sufferers of H1N1 flu, and tiredness is moderate to severe.
Sudden Onset
If it took a few days for the symptoms to develop, it’s likely the common cold. According to the U.S. Department of Health, H1N1 flu comes on fast, within three to six hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, there are two strains of flu, seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine) flu, currently circulating in the United States. "This year, the H1N1 flu virus may cause a more dangerous flu season with a lot more people getting sick, being hospitalized and dying than during a regular flu season," the website reads. "H1N1 is a new virus first seen in the United States. It is contagious and spreads from person to person. Like seasonal flu, illness in people with H1N1 can vary from mild to severe."
Health officials are recommending that people receive two flu vaccinations this year: the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, the H1N1 flu vaccine has been developed and produced for the 2009 flu season.
For more information on flu symptoms, vaccinations and updates, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services special flu hotline and Web Site. The department posts updates on shipments and availability of H1N1 vaccines, as well as tips and expert advice on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the flu.
Sources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Pamela Wright - Pamela Wright is a freelance travel writer, specializing in outdoor recreation, adventure, and family travel. As part of the Bair-Wright ...
