Is it a cold or is it the flu? FDA Consumer,  Jan-Feb, 2005  by John Henkel   With flu season still upon us, many people will likely wonder if the onset of aches and runny noses might mean they are coming down with the flu. Or is it just a cold? Both conditions have their own signature symptoms, which the Department of Health and Human Services has sorted out into a handy online checklist. For example, fever is rare with a cold, but common with the flu; sore throat is common with a cold, but less common with the flu. Check out the whole list at www.hhs.gov./flu/cold_or_flu.html John Henkel is a member of the FDA's Website Management Staff.   Flu Information (Source:  hhs.gov)  Is It a Cold or the Flu? Symptoms Cold Flu Fever Rare Characteristic, high (102-104°F); lasts 3-4 days Headache Rare Prominent General Aches, Pains Slight Usual; often severe Fatigue, Weakness Quite mild Can last up to 2-3 weeks Extreme Exhaustion Never Early and prominent Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes Sneezing Usual Sometimes Sore Throat Common Sometimes Chest Discomfort, Cough Mild to moderate; hacking cough Common; can become severe Complications Sinus congestion or earache Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening Prevention None Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines - see your doctor Treatment Only temporary relief of symptoms Antiviral medicines - see your doctor Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, April 2001. Home Made Remedies Buy Tamiflu