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If you have a cold, you can have any or all of these symptoms: increased nasal discharge (a runny nose), difficulty breathing through the nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat, and cough. The ability to taste and to smell may be affected, hoarseness may develop, and the voice often develops a nasal quality. Adults may experience a slight fever, while infants and young children may develop a higher temperature. The symptoms of the average cold last about one week. However, in roughly one out of every four cases, the illness lasts up to two weeks. In general, cold symptoms-especially the cough, tend to be worse in smokers.

Flu symptoms are often more severe than cold symptoms. If you have the flu, you can have any or all of these symptoms: fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, dry cough, sore throat, and possibly a runny nose. These symptoms usually last for several days for most people; however, they can last for as long as two weeks. People with lung disease or weakened immunity and the elderly are prone to severe and possibly fatal complications from the flu.

Anthrax infection is a rare infection in the absence of a known exposure. Initial symptoms of the inhalation (breathing) form of anthrax are mild and not specific and may include fever, malaise, mild cough, or chest pain. Increased nasal discharge (a runny nose) is not usually seen in the inhalation form of anthrax. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing difficulties and shock.

Many illnesses begin with symptoms commonly referred to as "flu-like" symptoms. These include fever, lack of energy, and muscle aches. The inhalation form of anthrax would quickly be distinguished from a cold or flu by the rapid development of severe symptoms that would require hospitalization.

If you have a cold, you will get better, with or without medication, within a few weeks. However, the cold viruses can affect the lining of the upper respiratory system in a way that leads to other infections, such as sinusitis, ear infections or bronchitis. The most serious complication of influenza is pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia can be caused by the influenza virus itself, or by bacteria that are able to enter the lungs because natural defenses have been weakened by the flu. Patients with cold or flu symptoms should consult a physician for any of the following symptoms, which may indicate more severe illness:

Adults, including those in high-risk groups and those who are healthy, are encouraged to get a flu shot in order to avoid or lessen the effects of influenza. People should not get a flu shot in order to avoid confusion of flu symptoms with those of anthrax, for the following reasons:

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