As summer slips away from us and cool weather sneaks its way in, cold and flu season will surely make its debut too. If you are like one of the many people who aren’t sure whether those sneezy, stuffy, and plain lousy symptoms are flu or cold-related, we’ve got some ways to help you. It’s very important to know the difference to determine whether you may need medical attention. The flu can lead to more serious problems.

Here’s a list of the general symptoms in question.

GENERAL COLD SYMPTOMS

• Sore throat – For most people, a scratchy throat is how a cold begins.
• Runny Nose – This is most prominent at the peak of the cold.
• Congestion – Congestion follows shortly after the runny nose begins.
• Fever – This isn’t always common for adults, but some people still experience fever with common cold.

You are most contagious for the first three days of your cold, so that would be the best time to take a day off. These symptoms generally last about a week. When your symptoms last much longer than a week it could be an infection. Speak to your doctor to find out what’s what.

GENERAL FLU SYMPTOMS

• Sore throat – More severe than a cold sore throat.
• Fever – Young or old, the flu comes with a fever.
• Headache – Dull, achy and hard to ignore.
• Vomiting & Diarrhea – Your toilet trips are more adventurous than normal (sorry for the visual).

You may be thinking that the lines are blurry because even with colds, you may have a feel achy and experience vomiting. The severity of these symptoms can be an indicator that your sickness is more than just cold. Let’s break down the symptoms to get to the bottom of your illness and outline the differences.

• Fever – Rare for colds. Always for flu.
• Headache – Rare for cold. Severe for the flu.
• Aches and Pains – Moderate for colds. Often severe with the flu.
• Weakness and Fatigue – Mild for colds. Severe for the flu.
• Exhaustion – Never for colds. Always with the flu.
• Stuffy Nose – Common with the cold. Sometimes with flu.
• Sneezing – Often with colds. Infrequently with the flu.
• Sore throat – Common for both.
• Cough – Mild for colds. Severe for the flu.

We certainly hope this made things a little clearer for you. Always consult with your doctor before making any medical decisions or diagnosing you and your children with life threatening illnesses on WebMd.

Good luck this cold season!       

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Elephant Ears? Send your topic idea to pr@babyelephantears.com.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Elephant Ears makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information, or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.