Do you have a cold or the flu?
A cold and the flu (also called influenza) are alike in many ways. Both cold and flu can sometimes lead to more serious problems like pneumonia. Cold symptoms are usually a stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing. They last a couple of days to a week. Flu symptoms are usually tiredness, fever, headache, and muscle aches and pains. Coughing can be a sign of either a cold or the flu.
When to see a Healthcare Professional
You should call your doctor in these situations:
- Your symptoms get worse
- Your symptoms last a long time
- After feeling a little better, you start feeling sick to your stomach, vomiting, shaking, or develop chills, high fever, chest pain, or coughing with thick, yellow-green mucus.
To feel better while you are sick:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Use a humidifier.
- A cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help.
Source: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
