Cold and Flu Symptoms: How Does the Illness Begin?

Identifying the symptoms of a cold or flu can sometimes be challenging. Even a simple loss of appetite might be the first indication of an illness beginning. Discover how to recognize early signs of cold and flu and prevent the disease from progressing.

At the onset, cold and flu symptoms often resemble each other closely: runny nose, headache, fever, and general fatigue.

Common Symptoms of Cold and Flu

It’s well known that cold and flu symptoms are quite similar. The main difference lies in the speed at which the illness develops—flu symptoms tend to appear much faster than those of a cold.

Shared symptoms of both cold and flu include:

• Muscle aches and joint pain;

• Runny nose;

• Sneezing;

• Drowsiness;

• Feeling weak and tired.

Symptoms more commonly associated with a cold rather than the flu are:

• Cough and sore throat;

• Sinus congestion;

• Ear pain.

Symptoms that typically indicate the flu include:

• High fever, often rising to 102°F (39°C) within a few hours;

• Chills and shivering;

• Severe headache;

• Chest pain along with muscle and joint aches.

How to Prevent Cold and Flu Symptoms?

If you notice early signs such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, muscle aches, watery eyes, or nasal congestion, it doesn't necessarily mean you will suffer for weeks. Cold and flu can be halted or their severity reduced even when symptoms are already present.

Try soaking your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes before bedtime. To help prevent symptoms, consume 2-3 cloves of garlic daily—cut into small pieces and swallow without chewing to avoid strong breath odor.

Start taking interferon-based antiviral medications from the first day of feeling unwell. These drugs boost your immune system and increase your body's resistance to viruses. If your fever remains below 100.4°F (38°C), avoid lowering it, as this indicates your body is actively fighting the infection.

Remember the well-known advice: prevention is better than cure. Early recognition and proper treatment of cold or flu symptoms can help you recover in just a day or two, preventing the illness from worsening. Ignoring initial symptoms could disrupt your plans for the next 2-3 weeks, regardless of whether it’s the flu or a common cold.

Photo: Getty Images

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