What's the difference between a cold and the swine flu?

Symptoms: A cold comes on gradually while flu onset is aburpt and sudden. Flu symptoms can be reduced if treated early (less than 72 hrs fro onset) with a drug like tamiflu (oseltamivir). A cold runs its course but you can take symptomatic drugs like theraflu . If you are takign drugs for blod pressure, etc, contact your physician before takign over the counter cold meds.