With the flu you are sick all over. The flu can be a much more serious illness. The most deadly recent worldwide outbreak was the flu epidemic at the beginning of this century, which killed more than 20 million people. Most people get the flu once every year or two or three, and the illness is unpleasant but not dangerous. Unlike the common cold, both adults and children with the flu generally have a fever.
Some people have other systemic symptoms such as dizziness or vomiting.
The fever usually lasts for a day or two, but can last five days. The most prominent of the respiratory symptoms is usually a dry, hacking cough. Nasal discharge and sneezing are not uncommon. Sometimes there is a second wave of fever at this time. The cough and tiredness usually lasts for weeks after the rest of the illness is over.