Ran across this today and thought it was good and useful information and I wanted to pass it along. I had a couple bouts with the flu and after reading this I am thinking I actually may have had the H1N1 after all. How I felt was just as what is described below. Hopefully it means that now that I have had it I am over it and done with it. I do not have time to be down again for another couple weeks. I am too adult ADD for that… hehehe
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLD, SEASONAL FLU & H1N1 SYMPTOMS |
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SYMPTOM |
COLD |
SEASONAL FLU |
H1N1 |
| FEVER | Fever is rare with a cold. | Fever is common with the seasonal flu. | Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flue cases. A temperature of 101° |
| COUGHING | A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold. | A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu. | A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (sometimes referred to as dry cough).* |
| ACHES | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. | Moderate body aches are common with the seasonal flu. | Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.* |
| STUFFY NOSE | Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. | A runny nose is commonly present with the seasonal flu. | Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1. |
| CHILLS | Chills are uncommon with a cold. | Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu. | 60% of people who have H1N1 experience chills. |
| TIREDNESS | Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. | Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu. | Tiredness is moderate to severe with H1N1.* |
| SNEEZING | Sneezing is commonly present with a cold | Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu. | Sneezing is not common with H1N1. |
| SUDDEN SYMPTOMS | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. | Symptoms tend to develop over a few days and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and/or vomiting/nausea. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common. | H1N1 has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, depending on the individual. Diarrhea is common. |
| HEADACHE | A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. | A headache is fairly common with the seasonal flu. | A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.* |
| SORE THROAT | Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. | Sore throat is commonly present with the seasonal flu. | Sore throat is not commonly present with H1N1. |
| CHEST DISCOMFORT | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. | Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe seek medical attention immediately! | Chest discomfort is often severe with H1N1. |
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PREVENTION TIPS: |
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| ücough & sneeze into your elbow | |||
| üwash hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 15 -20 seconds. | |||
| üuse hand sanitizer when soap & water are not available | |||
| üavoid touching eyes, nose or mouth without washing or using hand sanitizer first | |||
Alva Hyatt on 
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer on 
Eve on 
3 Comments
Oh good. Thank you for this. I was wondering what the major differences were between the Flu 7 Swine Flu! But no matter what, if I feel remotely sick Im just going to the doctors! Better to be safe than sorry! rRght?
Meleah - You are so right - The first time I had it I did go to DR right away and it made all the difference in the world - Better to be safe than sorry!!
Good info, Cathy! My son is a sophomore in HS so I tell him every day to try to avoid any one who may have any symptoms. We heard through the schools here in San Diego County that most likely if someone has the flu here in Southern California, then it is probably the H1N1 as the seasonal flu is not showing up here yet. Not sure if that is true, but so far I know four people that have had H1N1.
My entire family is taking a Super Lysine every day to try to boost our immune systems. My mom swears by these. So far so good! Glad you’re better!