A little bit about H1N1...
Written by Shoshana Pritzker
Monday, 17 May 2010 16:03
November 03, 2009
Since H1N1 has become the topic of most office watercooler discussions and all top news channels, I decided to put a little focus on it too. This morning I received an email containing some useful information on the symptoms of both the cold and H1N1. It seems like at the first sign of any unhealthy symptom, people are quick to claim they've got H1N1. It's a nationwide paranoia, lol. So I think it's important to know what to look for when self-diagnosing a flu or cold for that matter.
(I am unsure of the original source of this table, so please take it for what it is...online text)
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Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
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Symptom
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Cold
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H1N1 Flu
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Fever
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Fever is rare with a cold.
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Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
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Coughing
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A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
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A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
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Aches
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Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
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Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1flu.
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Stuffy Nose
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Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
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Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1flu.
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Chills
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Chills are uncommon with a cold.
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60% of people who have the H1N1flu experience chills.
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Tiredness
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Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
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Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
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Sneezing
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Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
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Sneezing is not common with the H1N1flu.
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Sudden Symptoms
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Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
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The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
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Headache
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A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
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A headache is very common with the H1N1flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
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Sore Throat
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Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
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Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
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Chest Discomfort
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Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
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Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1flu.
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