Signs & Symptoms
Flu can cause mild to severe illness and flu symptoms can vary from person to person. Flu symptoms usually appear 1-4 days after exposure to the virus and usually include the onset of:
- fever
- cough
- muscle aches and pain
Other symptoms of the flu can include:
- headache
- chills
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss of appetite
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
Some people, and especially children, might also have:
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
Differences Between the Flu and COVID-19
Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. It can be difficult to tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 because the symptoms are similar. Testing is important to confirm a diagnosis of COVID-19.
To learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19, testing and diagnosis visit:
COVID-19 Testing and Diagnosis
Differences Between the Flu and a Common Cold
Both the flu and a common cold come from respiratory tract infections in your nose, sinuses and throat. Flu is different from a common cold and most people have trouble deciding if it is the flu or a cold. The following can help you know the difference:
| Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Fever & Chills | Rare | Usually |
| Cough | Mild | Common; can be severe |
| Headache | Rare | Almost always |
| Runny, Stuffy Nose |
Common | Sometimes |
| Body Aches and Pains | Slight | Usually |
| Onset | Gradually gets worse over a few days | Comes on quickly and severely |
| Diarrhea/Vomiting | Rare | More common in children |
| Recovery | Symptoms may last 3-10 days | Symptoms may last hours or days up to a week and may linger for up to 3 weeks |
