Difference between Common Cold & H1N1/ A MUST READ

H1N1 flu is about to be upon us and we need to be on top of information regarding it.
Here is a comparison to the normal cold symptoms.     

Know the Difference between a Cold  and  H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1  flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with the  H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic Schedule
H1N1 vaccination clinics begin on November 2 and will run for approximately six
weeks. The hours for the first two weeks are:

Monday, November 2 – Friday, November 6 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 7 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10 – Friday, November 13 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Locations
Metro Hall - Rotunda - 55 John Street
East York Civic Centre - Lower Level - 850 Coxwell Avenue
North York Civic Centre - Members Lounge - 5100 Yonge Street
North Toronto Memorial Community Recreational Centre - 200 Eglinton Avenue West
Etobicoke Civic Centre - Committee rooms 1, 2, 3 - 399 The West Mall
Melody Village Public School - Gym - 24 Strathburn Blvd. (closed school)
Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreational Centre - 220 Cowan Avenue
Scarborough Civic Centre - Rotunda - 150 Borough Drive
North Kipling Community Recreational Centre - 2 Rowntree Road
Timothy Eaton Business and Technical Institute - Cafeteria - 1251 Bridletowne Circle (closed school)

Information about the H1N1 flu virus will be available at all the clinics, and nurses will be on hand to answer questions about the vaccine.

Please note: Hours may be expanded if demand is high. Please call 311 or visit
www.toronto.ca/health for current schedule information.