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First Signs of Cold & Flu

The first signs of a cold are similar to those associated with the flu, but one of the most distinguishing factors between a cold and the flu is the onset speed of the symptoms. Symptoms of a cold generally develop slowly over the course of two or three days, while flu symptoms come on rapidly and can severely affect a person in the first three to six hours after they've contracted the virus.

  1. Cough and Sore Throat

    • A cough is typically one of the first signs of a cold or the flu. In the case of a cold, the cough will progressively get worse over the course of a few days and is distinguished by a hacking-type cough that produces mucus. In the case of the flu virus, the coughing begins almost immediately, but does not produce mucus. The type of cough that is associated with the flu is often referred to as a dry cough.

      Another symptom that indicates the onset of a cold is a sore throat that progressively gets worse with the worsening of a cough. However, a sore throat is not a common symptom or effect of the flu.

    Sneezing and Congestion

    • Congestion and sneezing are common signs of the onset of a cold, and these progressively get worse over the course of two or three days in conjunction with the coughing and sore throat. The flu does not typically cause congestion or sneezing.

    Fatigue and Aches

    • Fatigue and lethargy are common signs of the flu. These typically are immediately noticeable and, combined with other flu-like symptoms, allow you to differentiate between the flu and a cold, because a cold typically does not cause such fatigue.

      However, body aches are common first signs of both a cold and the flu. However, the flu causes severe aches and pains, while a cold often causes only mild aches. In addition, headaches are quite common with the flu, while they are generally uncommon with a cold.

    Fever and Chest Discomfort

    • Fever is a common sign of the flu; it's present in up to 80 percent of flu cases, typically lasting three to four days and yielding temperatures of 100 degrees and higher. Fever is not typically present in cases of a cold.

      Chest discomfort is often quite severe in cases of the flu, however, it's rare that chest discomfort is present with the common cold.

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