Influenza vs. Colds vs.

Pertussis
Symptom
Fever Chills Headache Aches and pains, muscle aches, chest discomfort Fatigue and weakness Extreme exhaustion Stuffy or runny nose Sneezing Sore throat

Influenza ("Flu")
Usually present & high (102-104F or 39-40C); typically lasts 3-4 days Common Very common Very common Often severe Moderate - severe; can last up to 14-21 days Very common early in illness Common Sometimes Common

Colds (Viral URI)

Uncommon If present, typically low-grade Uncommon Uncommon Slight to Moderate

Pertussis
Uncommon If present, typically low-grade Rare Uncommon Uncommon Mild; Patient usually appears well between coughing attacks Rare Common, early in the disease Common, early in the disease Uncommon Variable character; fits / paroxysms and nocturnal cough are common; generally not responsive to cough medications; "whooping" may or may not occur Variable; mild to severe; infants appear quite ill and may present with cough or apnea Persistent cough, almost always >1 week, usually 2-6 weeks, sometimes 10+ weeks Common; often leads to vomiting or gagging From start of catarrhal phase (before cough onset) to 21 days after cough onset* Most efficient spreading after cough onset

Mild Extremely Rare Very common Common Common Hacking cough, often productive; usually responds to cough medications

Character

Non-productive ("dry") cough is typical

Cough

Severity

Moderate Typically 3-7 days; occasionally to 14 days Uncommon

Mild to Moderate

Duration Paroxysms (coughing fits)

Typically 3-7 days

Rare

Infectious Period

1 day before symptom onset and 3-7 days after

Variable; typically 4-7 days after symptom onset; can be longer

*or until taking 5 days of appropriate anti-pertussis antibiotics

Iowa Department of Public Health 12/10/04 (updated 12/08/10)