Cold & Flu Symptoms: Should You See a Doctor?

When cold temperatures settle in, and we start spending more time inside, it’s easy for respiratory illnesses to develop and spread. While the common cold and flu seem like they’re a lot alike, it’s important to know their differences, so you can feel better, faster.

You can get sick with either in the same way, as both viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose or mouth. You catch them by touching something a sick person touched, or by breathing in the tiny bits of liquid released when someone else coughs or sneezes.

This guide will help you understand the difference between cold and flu symptoms, how long each lasts and whether you can rest up at home or need to see a doctor.

Do I Have a Cold?

Colds are caused by several hundred different viruses. Symptoms typically appear two to three days after exposure, often beginning with a watery, runny nose and sore throat.

Colds are most contagious during the first three days. If you’re sick, stay home during this window to protect others. As the cold progresses, nasal secretions may become thicker or darker. This is a natural part of the virus's course and doesn’t necessarily mean a secondary infection is brewing. While adults rarely run fevers with a cold, children often experience more intense symptoms, including mild fevers.

Cold Symptoms

• Congestion
• Itchy or sore throat
• Mild to moderate coughing
• Minor aches and pains
• Possible mild fever (children)
• Runny nose
• Slight fatigue and weakness
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Watery eyes

Do I Have the Flu?

The flu is generally more severe than a cold and comes on more intensely. Influenza A and B tend to have more severe symptoms than influenza C.

While many associate the flu with a fever, not every person with the flu runs a temperature. Symptoms usually begin to improve after two to five days, though your body may feel fatigued or "run down" for a week or longer. While unusual for adults, vomiting and diarrhea are more common flu symptoms in kids.

Flu Symptoms

• Diarrhea, vomiting and/or nausea (children)
• Extreme exhaustion
• Fever (100–102°F or higher) lasting 3–4 days
• Headache
• Moderate to severe aches and pains
• Moderate to severe chest discomfort and coughing
• Occasional sore throat
• Occasional sneezing
• Occasional stuffy nose
• Two to three weeks of fatigue and weakness

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical advice if you experience any of the following:

• High fever (adult): A fever higher than 103°F or one accompanied by sweating, chills and a cough.
• High fever (child): A fever that frequently rises above 104°F or lasts more than three days.
• High fever (infant): Newborns up to 12 weeks with a fever higher than 100.4°F, or children under age 2 with a fever lasting longer than 24 hours.
• Lingering symptoms: A cold lasting longer than one week with persistent congestion and headaches.
• Persistent cough: A cough that lasts for two to three weeks (may indicate bronchitis, asthma or a sinus infection).
• Pneumonia signs: Shortness of breath or a fever that returns after disappearing for two days.
• Prolonged fever: Any fever lasting more than three days.
• Severe pain: Severe discomfort when swallowing (potential strep throat) or severe sinus pain.
• Swollen glands: Noticeable swelling in the neck or jaw area.
• Urgent pediatric symptoms: If a child is persistently crying, has ear pain, abdominal pain, a stiff neck or persistent vomiting.

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When to Seek Emergency Care

Go to the nearest emergency room immediately for:

• Blue-colored skin or lips
• Confusion
• Continuous vomiting
• Dehydration
• Dizziness
• Irritability or extreme distress in children
• Severe chest pain
• Severe headache
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Symptoms that rapidly worsen
  

How to Prevent the Flu

A yearly flu vaccine is vital if you live with high-risk individuals, such as young children or the elderly.

Getting an annual flu shot is highly effective at preventing death and keeping you out of the hospital from influenza complications. It can also help lessen the severity of other seasonal respiratory viruses.