It's hard to tell the difference between flu and common cold symptoms. Both are respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Here is a simple breakdown of symptoms to help you determine if you should be treating a cold or the flu:
| Flu symptoms | Cold symptoms |
| Sudden onset of illness | Slow onset of illness |
| High fever | Low or no fever |
| Extreme fatigue | Mild fatigue |
| Dry cough | Severe cough and runny or stuffy nose |
| Achy head | No headache |
| Achy muscles | No achy muscles |
| Chills | No chills |
Because cold and flu symptoms are similar, consult your doctor to be sure.
Source: *KidsHealth.org, The Nemours Foundation
You are exiting the www.clorox.ca website. The Clorox Company is not responsible for the content or data collection of that independent site.
Vaccination is an important means of flu prevention. But it's possible that this is not the best method for you or your children. Learn about flu shots in our Vaccine Q&A section.
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes: Low-Streak Formula!
Cleaner Home
Cleaning Advisor
Got a cleaning problem? Get the solution in just a few clicks.