You're at work and you hear a co-worker coughing a few feet from you. What does he have? Why didn't he stay home?
You might be the one with flu-like symptoms or it could be your child. Authorities are advising that you visit your family doctor with any flu-like symptoms to get treatment and rule out the H1N1 virus (known as the swine flu).
How do you know if you have regular cold symptoms or the swine flu?
Here is a chart that outlines the main differences. This is only a guide to ease some of your worries. Here is a pdf version of the differences if you want to post at home or your place of business.
| Symptom | Cold | Swine Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Fever is rare with a cold. | Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all swine flu cases. A temperature of 100ºF or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the swine flu. |
| Coughing | A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold | A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the swine flu |
| Aches | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. | Sever aches and pains are common. |
| Stuff Nose | Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week | Stuffy nose is not commonly present. |
| Chills | Chills are uncommon. | 60% of people who have the flu experience chills |
| Tiredness | Tiredness is faily mild. | Tiredness is moderate to severe. |
| Sneezing | Sneezing is commonly present. | Sneezing is not very common. |
| Sudden Symptoms | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. | The swine flu has a rapid onset within 3 to 6 hours. The swine flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
| Headache | A headache is fairly uncommon | A headache is very common, present in 80% of cases |
| Sore Throat | Sore throat is commonly present | Sore throat is not commonly present, but appears sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate | Chest discomfort is often severe |
