Influenza (Flu) Symptoms

The flu (influenza) is a respiratory illness. In general, flu is quite a bit worse than the common cold in terms of intensity of symptoms, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.

Flu symptoms include:

• fever
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches

In children, there may be additional symptoms such as:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

Difference Between Flu and Common Cold

While both the flu and common cold are respiratory illnesses that share many of the same symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. It can be difficult to tell the difference between flu and common cold based on the symptoms alone.

To know for sure if an illness is the flu or a common cold, special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out.