Unlike a cold, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Another key difference is a fever, which might not happen with a cold. You might also have: 1  Severe aches in muscles and joints. 2  Pain and tiredness around your eyes. 3  Weakness or extreme fatigue. 4  Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes. 5  A headache. 6  A dry cough. 7  A sore throat and runny nose.