I’ve got an itch at the back of my throat that seems to flare up whenever I read another web story about swine flu. Yes, it’s certainly psychosomatic, because the itch goes away quickly and doesn’t return. But with swine flu in the news, many of us may experience fleeting—and not so fleeting—symptoms.

Signs of other conditions—such as the runny nose or itchy eyes that can herald a cold or an allergy—can also make you wonder if you have the flu. Here’s some help in deciding.

Flu symptoms tend to come on much more abruptly and with greater severity than those of colds and allergies, according to our chief medical advisor, Marvin M. Lipman, M.D. Symptoms of flu include fever over 100°F, a nonproductive (dry) cough, severe headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.