The symptoms of the common cold, seasonal flu and H1N1 swine flu can all be very similar and make may it difficult to know which one you have. We have broken down the most common symptoms of these three viruses so you can easily see the differences and similarities between them.

    You should also be aware that if you have any of these viruses - the common cold, seasonal flu or H1N1 swine flu - for several days, you get better for a day or two and then suddenly get very sick again, you should see your health care provider because this could be a sign that you have developed complications or a secondary infection.

    Sources:

    "Questions and Answers: H1N1 Flu （"Swine Flu"） and You." H1N1 Flu 03 Nov 09. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 04 Nov 09.

    "Flu Symptoms and Severity." Seasonal Influenza （Flu） 08 Sep 09. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 04 Nov 09.

    Comparing the Cold, Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu

    Symptom Common Cold Seasonal Flu H1N1 Swine Flu

    Runny/Stuffy Nose Very common Occasional Occasional

    Cough Moist and productive Dry cough （may also be productive） Dry cough （may also be productive） A change from a dry cough to a more productive one could be a sign of a secondary infection.

    Itchy/Watery Eyes Common Uncommon Uncommon

    Fever Uncommon but may occur occasionally in children Very common Common, but less so than with seasonal flu

    Exhaustion/Fatigue Mild tiredness may occur Very common Very common

    Headache Common - usually due to sinus pressure Common Common

    Sore Throat Common, but typically mild Uncommon Very common

    Body Aches Minor Severe Severe

    Vomiting/Diarrhea These are not symptoms of the common cold Uncommon, but may occur occasionally in children About 10% of people with H1N1 swine flu experience vomiting and diarrhea

    Onset of Symptoms Gradual Sudden Sudden

    普通感冒、季節性流感和H1N1甲型流感的癥狀十分相似，因此患者常常搞不清楚自己究竟得了什么病。在此我們對這三種病毒性疾病的癥狀進行比較，供讀者參考。

    值得注意的是，假如你患上了這三種疾病中的任何一種，幾天后，癥狀減輕，但突然又加重，你就應該去咨詢醫生，因為這表明你可能患有并發癥或被二次感染。

    普通感冒、季節性流感還是H1N1甲型流感的癥狀對比

    信息來源： 癥狀

    普通感冒

    季節性流感

    H1N1 甲型流感

    流鼻涕或鼻塞

    十分常見

    偶發

    偶發

    咳嗽

    濕咳或排痰性咳嗽

    干咳（也可能為排痰性咳嗽）

    干咳 （也可能為排痰性咳嗽）.若開始干咳，后轉為咳嗽，則可能因為二次感染

    眼睛干澀或多淚

    常見

    罕見

    罕見

    發熱

    罕見，但兒童可能會發熱

    十分常見

    常見，但少于季節性流感

    疲倦

    可能會有輕微疲倦

    十分常見

    十分常見

    頭疼

    常見--通常由鼻竇壓增高引起

    常見

    常見

    咽喉疼痛

    常見，但輕微疼痛

    罕見

    常見

    身體疼痛

    輕微

    嚴重

    嚴重

    嘔吐/腹瀉

    非感冒癥狀

    罕見， 但兒童偶有發生

    約10%的患者發生嘔吐、腹瀉癥狀

    癥狀出現

    漸進

    突發