Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
Is it a Cold, Flu, or Pertussis?
Influenza (Flu)
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The Myth of the "Stomach Flu”
Many people use the term "stomach flu” to describe illnesses with
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many
different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. The "flu" is a
term that generally refers to influenza. While vomiting, diarrhea, and
being nauseous or “sick to your stomach” can sometimes be related to
the flu — particularly in children — these problems are rarely the
main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a
stomach or intestinal disease.
Is it a Cold, Flu or Pertussis?
Colds, flu and Pertussis are highly contagious and, in the initial
stages, might seem alike. Check the following table for a comparison of
the symptoms for each illness.
|
Symptom
|
Influenza ("Flu") |
Cold (Viral URI) |
Pertussis |
|
Fever |
Usually present and high (102-104°F or 39-40°C); typically
lasts 3-4 days |
Uncommon |
Uncommon If present, typically low-grade |
|
Headache |
Very common |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
|
Aches and pains, muscle aches, chest discomfort
|
Common, Often severe |
Slight to Moderate |
Uncommon |
|
Fatigue and weakness
|
Moderate - severe; can last up to 14-21 days |
Mild |
Mild to moderate |
|
Extreme exhaustion |
Very common early in illness |
Extremely Rare |
Rare |
|
Stuffy or runny nose |
Sometimes |
Common |
Common, early in the disease |
|
Sneezing |
Sometimes |
Common |
Common, early in the disease |
|
Sore throat |
Sometimes |
Common |
Uncommon |
|
C
O
U
G
H |
Character |
Non-productive ("dry") cough is typical; nocturnal
cough rare |
Hacking cough, often productive; nocturnal cough rare; usually
responds to cough medications |
Variable character; fits / paroxysms and nocturnal cough are
common; generally not responsive to cough medications |
|
Severity |
Moderate |
Mild to Moderate |
Variable; can be mild in adults and very severe in infants and
young children |
|
Duration |
Typically 3-7 days; occasionally to 14 days |
Typically 3-7 days |
Persistent cough, almost always >1week, usually 2-6 weeks,
sometimes 10+ weeks |
|
Paroxysms |
Uncommon |
Rare |
Common |
|
Infectious Period |
1-2 d before symptom onset to 5-10 days after |
Variable; typically 4-7 days after symptom onset; can be longer |
From start of catarrhal phase (before cough) to 21 days after
cough onset* |
*or until taking 5 days of appropriate
anti-pertussis antibiotics, or until a nasopharyngeal pertussis PCR is
negative, whichever occurs first.
Contacts
Thomas Haupt,
Influenza Surveillance Coordinator
Wisconsin Division of Public Health
Bureau of Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response
(Phone 608-266-5326) (Fax 608-261-4976)
Wisconsin
Local Health Departments - Regional offices - Tribal agencies
Last Revised:
November 09, 2012 |
