Symptom

Cold

H1N1 Flu

Fever

Fever is rare with a cold.

Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% flu cases.  A temperature of 100F or higher for 3 days is associated with the flu

Coughing

A hacking, productive (mucus-producing) cough is often present with a cold.

A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough usually present with the flu

Aches

Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.

Severe aches and pains are common with the flu

Stuffy Nose

Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.

Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu

Chills

Chills are uncommon with a cold.

60% of people who have the flu experience chills

Tiredness

Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.

Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu

Sneezing

Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.

Sneezing is not common with the flu

Sudden Symptoms

Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days

The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours.  Sudden symptoms like a high fever, and aches and pains

Headache

A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.

A headache is very common with the flu.

Sore Throat

Sore throat is commonly present with a cold

Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort

Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold

Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu