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This is the season when people get sick from respiratory types of diseases. The
symptoms below describe the different illnesses that can be diagnosed.
Pertussis is caused by a bacteria and can be treated when caught early. The
other two are caused by viruses. The influenza can be treated if caught very
early with an antiviral medication. Cold symptoms are treated and not the cold
virus itself. All require rest and fluids, good hand washing, and staying home
until your feel better or as directed by your medical provider. Anyone with
pertussis, has to stay home for 5 days after starting medication.
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.
Rapid Reference: Flu versus Cold versus Pertussis
(source: City of Milwaukee Health Department)
|
Symptom |
Influenza ("Flu") |
Cold (Viral URI) |
Pertussis |
|
Fever |
Usually present & 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
Iowa County Health Department
303 W. Chapel St.
Dodgeville, WI 53533
608 930-9872 |
 |
|
Revised January 25, 2012 |
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