Common Cold vs. Flu: How do you know the difference?

Published February 1, 2024

The winter months are upon us and with that comes cold and flu season. Flu and the common cold are two contagious viruses that share a lot of the same symptoms, so how do you know which one you may have? How your symptoms present, how common they are, and how long they last are usually different. Here’s a side-by-side comparison chart for you.

Signs and Symptoms	Influenza	Common Cold
Onset	Sudden	Gradual
Fever	Temperature of 100*F and >, lasting 3-4 days	Temperature < 100*F
Cough	Dry, can be severe	Hacking
Headache	Prominent	Rare
Muscle Pain	Common, often severe	Uncommon, mild
Tiredness & Weakness	Lasting 2-3 weeks	Very mild and brief
Extreme Exhaustion	Early and prominent	Never
Chest Discomfort	Common	Uncommon or mild
Stuffy Nose	Occasionally	Common
Sneezing	Occasionally	Typical
Sore Throat	Occasionally	Common

How can you help stop the spread of Common Cold and Flu?

1. Performing good hand hygiene practices. The CDC recommends that you clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub after touching high touch surface areas (i.e., door knobs, light switches, etc.) and washing your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the restroom.
2. If you find yourself sniffling or sneezing, use respiratory etiquette by coughing and sneezing in your sleeve or a tissue and immediately cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub.
3. Get your flu vaccine! It’s never too late to get your flu vaccine. Please contact your Employee Health Representative listed below.

Employee Health Representatives

MCBG	Employee Health Services	270-745-1263
MCF	Lacey Phelps, RN	270-598-4977
MCS	Patricia Davis, RN	270-618 3721
MCC	Sandy Duncan, RN Megan Riggs, RN (back-up)	270-786-1919 270-786-6630
MCA	Logan Aaron, RN	606-387-3690

Please remember to call Employee Health to be cleared to return to work if you have the flu or any other communicable illness.