The following table compares the symptoms of
upper respiratory infection in children and
influenza.
| Symptoms | Cold | Influenza |
| Fever | rare | very common, > 102 F |
| Headache | mild | common, often severe |
| Body aches | mild if present | very common, severe |
| Weakness, fatigue | mild if present | very common |
| Extreme exhaustion | very rare | common early symptom |
| Sore throat | very common | common early symptom |
| Nasal congestion | very common | common |
| Sneezing | very common | sometimes |
| Cough | mild hacking cough | common, may be severe |
| Chest congestion | mild, gradual onset | common, may be severe |
| Pleurisy | mild, gradual onset | common, may be severe |
| Nausea, vomiting | rare | sometimes |
| Complications | sinusitis, otitis media | pneumonia, dehydration |
