How quickly do symptoms of the flu manifest compared to a standard upper respiratory common cold infection?
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 2 of 2 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence. 32 queries are still being classified.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
- About Influenza | Influenza (Flu) · cdc.gov
- About Common Cold | Common Cold · cdc.gov
- Signs and Symptoms of Flu | Influenza (Flu) · cdc.gov
- Common cold · nhs.uk
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Queries
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
how fast do flu symptoms start after exposure RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the exact incubation period and onset timeline specifically for influenza. | — | web_article | incubation period and onset timelines | 3x of 3 | |
why do flu symptoms hit all at once RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the physiological reasons behind the rapid, abrupt onset of influenza. | — | web_article | sudden symptom onset characteristics | 3x of 3 | |
flu vs cold symptom onset time comparison REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a direct and concise comparison of how fast influenza symptoms appear versus a common cold. | — | comparison_table | flu and cold onset comparison | 1x of 3 | |
flu vs cold symptom onset speed REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a quick, direct summary of how fast flu symptoms appear relative to a cold. | — | comparison_table | flu and cold onset comparison | 1x of 3 | |
flu vs cold symptom onset speed comparison REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a direct restatement of the original query focusing on how fast symptoms appear for both illnesses. | — | comparison_table | flu and cold onset comparison | 1x of 3 | |
cold vs flu difference table COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a comprehensive tabular breakdown distinguishing all key differences between a cold and the flu, including onset. | — | comparison_table | flu and cold onset comparison | 1x of 3 | |
common cold symptom onset timeline gradual vs sudden IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the step-by-step progression and gradual appearance of cold symptoms. | — | faq_page | sudden versus gradual symptom onset | 1x of 3 | |
common cold incubation period onset timeline RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the exact speed at which cold symptoms develop following infection. | — | faq_page | incubation period and onset timelines | 1x of 3 | |
is my sick child getting the flu or a cold PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking to apply symptom onset knowledge to identify an illness in a family member. | — | faq_page | early differentiation of illness | 1x of 3 | |
difference between influenza and rhinovirus incubation period COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a scientific comparison of the viral lifecycle and incubation times for the specific pathogens causing flu and colds. | — | glossary/definition | viral incubation and progression periods | 1x of 3 | |
is my sickness a cold or flu based on how fast it hit IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is currently sick and trying to self-diagnose based on how suddenly their symptoms appeared. | — | checklist | early differentiation of illness | 1x of 3 | |
stages of a common cold day by day ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a detailed breakdown of how a common cold progresses over time from the first day. | — | how_to_steps | common cold daily stages | 1x of 3 | |
sudden onset of fever body aches flu vs cold RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know how hallmark acute symptoms like sudden fever and body aches help differentiate flu from a cold. | — | web_article | sudden symptom onset characteristics | 1x of 3 | |
difference between sudden onset flu and gradual cold symptoms COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a structured comparison contrasting the abruptness of the flu with the gradual onset of a cold. | — | comparison_table | sudden versus gradual symptom onset | 1x of 3 | |
sudden vs gradual onset illness symptoms IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user needs to understand the clinical definitions and implications of 'sudden' versus 'gradual' symptom development. | — | glossary/definition | sudden versus gradual symptom onset | 1x of 3 | |
influenza vs common cold early warning signs ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to identify the very first signs and symptoms that appear in the earliest hours of infection for both conditions. | — | checklist | early warning signs comparison | 1x of 3 | |
influenza vs rhinovirus symptom progression timeline ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants scientifically accurate details using the specific viral pathogens responsible for these illnesses. | — | pdf_whitepaper | viral incubation and progression periods | 1x of 3 | |
influenza incubation period hours or days RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants precise metrics on how quickly influenza viruses replicate and produce noticeable physical signs. | — | web_article | incubation period and onset timelines | 1x of 3 | |
can a cold start suddenly like the flu RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if there are exceptions where a cold can manifest rapidly. | — | forum/qna | sudden symptom onset characteristics | 1x of 3 | |
early warning signs of influenza infection ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to identify the absolute first physical signs that indicate a flu infection is beginning. | — | checklist | early warning signs comparison | 1x of 3 | |
how to tell if feeling sick is cold or flu early on PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants practical guidance on how to self-diagnose whether an emerging illness is a cold or the flu based on how fast it started. | — | how_to_steps | early differentiation of illness | 1x of 3 | |
early warning signs of influenza vs common cold IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to identify the very first bodily signals that differentiate a developing flu from a cold. | — | web_article | early warning signs comparison | 1x of 3 | |
stages of a common cold day by day progression ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a detailed breakdown of how a cold progresses day by day from initial exposure to full manifestation. | — | web_article | common cold daily stages | 1x of 3 | |
how to tell if fever means flu or cold REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand how the appearance of a fever relates to the speed and severity of flu onset. | — | faq_page | early differentiation of illness | 1x of 3 | |
how to tell if its a cold or flu right away REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants practical advice on differentiating a cold from the flu in the earliest stages of infection. | — | faq_page | early differentiation of illness | 1x of 3 | |
sudden vs gradual onset respiratory infection differential diagnosis REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a clinical overview of how medical professionals differentiate respiratory infections based on onset speed. | — | pdf_whitepaper | sudden versus gradual symptom onset | 1x of 3 | |
first 24 hours of flu symptoms vs cold symptoms PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a chronological breakdown of what the first day looks like for each infection. | — | how_to_steps | flu and cold onset comparison | 1x of 3 | |
upper respiratory infection timeline progression ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants an overview of how general upper respiratory infections evolve from start to finish. | — | web_article | viral incubation and progression periods | 1x of 3 | |
is body ache normal for a common cold or only flu RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if specific distinguishing symptoms like body aches appear early in colds or only in the flu. | — | faq_page | sudden symptom onset characteristics | 1x of 3 | |
average incubation period for upper respiratory viral infections REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants broad epidemiological data regarding incubation periods for common upper respiratory viruses. | — | dataset | viral incubation and progression periods | 1x of 3 | |
upper respiratory infection onset comparison chart REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for a visual or tabular reference guide comparing upper respiratory infection timelines. | — | image_gallery | viral incubation and progression periods | 1x of 3 | |
is rapid symptom onset always the flu RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if other infections can also cause sudden symptom onset, or if it is exclusive to the flu. | — | forum/qna | sudden symptom onset characteristics | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 909 / 1,565 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 12 | 12 | — | 909 / 1,437 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 12 | 12 | — | 909 / 1,498 |