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 may be similar to a cold, however also include 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 more than 5 days (pain), 3 days (fever), or 2 days (sore throat)
• 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.
• If cough worsens, persists for more than a week, or is accompanied by too much phlegm (mucus), high fever, rash, persistent headache, nausea or vomiting.