You’ve got a fever, runny nose, and can’t get out of bed. It must be the flu, right? Not necessarily.
The flu and your average run-of-the-mill common cold have a lot of similarities, making it difficult to determine what is actually bringing you down.
This year is the worst flu season we’ve seen in years, so your chances of getting it are a bit worse than they have been in the past, especially if you didn’t get a flu shot (Why didn’t you get a flu shot? Go get one right now).
While a test performed by your doctor is the only sure-fire way to know whether or not you have a cold or the actual flu, the CDC released an infographic this week that breaks down some of the differences between the two so you can at least make an educated guess.
The key, to some extent, is how fast you get sick. If things start slow, then you probably have the cold. If you get hit hard and fast by something, it’s much more likely to be the flu.
Here’s what the CDC has to say:
Regardless of what you have, drink plenty of fluids, take some naps, and stay at home so you don’t give the unwelcome gift to any of your coworkers and friends. They’ll appreciate it.