Name: Is it a cold or the flu? | Louisville, Ky.Norton Healthcare
Published: 2018-01-08T20:12:30+00:00

Check the cold and flu symptoms on our chart.

Author: Norton Healthcare

Published: January 8, 2018 | Updated: December 16, 2020

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Primary Care

Norton Healthcare primary care physicians and advanced practice providers offer flu care throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana.

Signs and symptoms	Influenza	Cold
Symptom onset	Abrupt	Gradual
Fever	Usually; lasts 3-4 days	Rare
Aches	Usually; often severe	Slight
Chills	Fairly common	Uncommon
Fatigue, weakness	Usual	Sometimes
Sneezing	Sometimes	Common
Stuffy nose	Sometimes	Common
Sore throat	Sometimes	Common
Chest discomfort, cough	Common; can be severe	Mild to moderate; hacking cough
Headache	Common	Rare