Cough, Cold & Flu

Symptoms

Cold symptoms

Cold symptoms usually begin about 2 or 3 days after being infected with a virus and last 7 to 10 days. The first sign is usually a scratchy throat 18 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus.

Common cold symptoms include:

• Sore throat that is dry or scratchy
• Itchy, watery eyes in the early stages
• Runny/stuffy nose and sinus pain
• Slight fever
• Headache
• Body aches and pains
• Dry cough
• Fatigue or mild weakness
• Some chest discomfort
• Loss of appetite

Colds can be complicated by bacterial infections. Signs of a bacterial infection after a cold include a high fever, swollen glands and a mucus-producing cough.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza symptoms have a sudden onset and are more severe. They usually subside after 3 to 4 days, but fatigue may remain for up to 3 weeks. Common flu symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of high fever (39-40ºC) that can last for 3 to 4 days
• Moderate to severe headache and body aches
• Chills
• Hot and moist skin and a flushed face
• Runny/stuffy nose that produces a clear and watery discharge, sneezing, and a sore throat
• Extreme tiredness and general weakness
• Chest discomfort
• Cough (can become severe)
• Loss of appetite

Contact your doctor immediately if you become breathless, disoriented or faint, if your cough produces bloody sputum, or if symptoms last more than 10 days.

The flu rarely causes stomach upset. What is commonly referred to as the "stomach flu" (symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), is more likely to be gastroenteritis ( a viral bowel infection) or food poisoning.