Do I have a cold or do I have the flu? What is the correct treatment? Should I start taking cold medications or do I need a prescription for something stronger? When should I go to urgent care?
Since the common cold has basically the same symptoms as the flu, it can be difficult to tell them apart. Treatment is generally the same for both, as well—plenty of fluids and plenty of rest. To find out if you have a cold or the flu (or something else) you can go to urgent care to get tested. Do you want to start feeling better sooner? We can help with that!
Here’s how to tell the difference between a cold and the flu, and when you should go to urgent care for treatment.
Cold vs. Flu Symptoms
Most cold and flu symptoms are exactly the same, especially at the onset of the illness.
The following symptoms are common to both colds and the flu:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
So how do you know if you have a cold or the flu? Here’s how their symptoms differ.
- It might be the flu if you have a fever and chills. Usually only children and babies get a fever with a cold.
- If you have a higher body temperature than normal, or you have body aches along with chills, you could have the flu.
- Body aches are also more severe with influenza. If you can’t sleep at night because of your aching limbs, it’s probably the flu.
- Most colds go away after about a week and half. If your symptoms keep getting worse, or don’t let up after ten days, you should see a doctor.
What Is the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?
Both illnesses are caused by viruses that infect the upper respiratory system. They also share many of the same symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell them apart.
The main difference is that the flu comes specifically from the influenza virus, while a cold can be caused by a variety of other viruses.
Another big difference is that although you can get vaccinated against the flu, there is no vaccine for the common cold.
Medicines to Treat the Common Cold
Besides staying hydrated and getting extra rest, you can also take over-the-counter cold medicines. Most of them are a combination of medications that will relieve most cold and flu symptoms.
For example, most cold medicines include:
- Pain relievers to reduce fever and relieve aches.
- Decongestants to help you breathe more easily.
- Antihistamines to relieve sneezing and congestion.
- Cough suppressants to keep you from constantly coughing so you can sleep more soundly.
- Expectorants to help you expel all the mucus and make your cough more productive.
When to Go to Urgent Care for Cold and Flu Symptoms
If you have a high fever (102ºF or more), chest pain, ear pain, an asthma flareup, or symptoms that last longer than 10 days, you should go to urgent care. We can diagnose your illness and provide treatment that will help you recover more quickly. Urgent care treatment can also help prevent a cold or flu from turning into something more serious, like pneumonia.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms along with your cold or flu symptoms, like diarrhea or loss of taste or smell, you can go to urgent care to get a dose of preventive medication that will make your symptoms more bearable. At Total Point Urgent Care, we also offer telehealth appointments so you can get a diagnosis and prescriptions without ever having to leave your home.
Get Treatment for Colds and Flu at Total Point Urgent Care in Corsicana, Texas
If you’re wondering whether you have a cold or the flu, or if your symptoms seem worse than they should be, we can help! If you live in Corsicana, you can get urgent care treatment at our clinic on Seventh Avenue. We also have clinics throughout East-Central Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Check our locations page to find the clinic nearest you.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 7/15/2024.
