| Symptom | Cold | Influenza |
| Fever | Rare | Usual; high fever (102 ° F/39 ° C - 104 ° F, 40 ° C), sudden onset, lasts 3 to 4 days. |
| Headache | Rare | Usual; can be severe |
| Muscle aches and pains | Sometimes, generally mild | Usual; often severe |
| Tiredness and weakness | Sometimes, generally mild | Usual; severe, may last up to 2 to 3 weeks |
| Extreme tiredness | Unusual | Usual; early onset, can be severe |
| Runny, stuffy nose | Common | Common |
| Sneezing | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Common |
| Chest discomfort, coughing | Sometimes, mild to moderate | Usual, can become severe. |
| Complications | Can lead to sinus congestion or infection, and ear aches.* | Can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure, and become life-threatening. Can worsen a chronic condition. |
| Prevention | Frequent hand washing | Annual immunization and frequent hand washing |
