Is It a Cold or the Flu? How to Tell the Difference

It’s cold and flu season, and if you’re battling a cough, stuffy nose, or body aches, it may be tough to know which illness you’re dealing with. Both infections affect your respiratory system and share similar symptoms, but the flu usually strikes faster, feels more severe, and can lead to serious complications.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, our urgent care specialists know how frustrating it is to get sick and how challenging it can be to tell the two apart. That’s why we offer on-site flu testing to quickly confirm what’s causing your symptoms so you can get the right care fast. 

What is a cold?

The common cold is a mild viral infection of the upper respiratory system. More than 200 viruses can cause a cold, and many people catch two to three infections a year. 

Cold symptoms, like coughing, congestion, and sore throat, develop gradually over a few days and can last up to two weeks. There’s no cure for the cold, but you can take over-the-counter cold medications and anti-inflammatories to help with symptoms.

Because colds are highly contagious, you should stay home when you’re sick so you don’t pass your germs to others.

What is the flu?

The flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory infection caused by specific influenza viruses that change from year to year. The constant mutation of the virus makes it difficult for your immune system to adequately protect you, which is why we encourage people at greater risk of complications to get a flu vaccine each year for added protection. 

Coughing, fever, and body aches are common flu symptoms. They usually come on quickly and feel more intense than a cold. While most people recover within a week, the flu can cause complications for young children, older adults, and folks with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems. 

Differences between cold and flu

Because the symptoms are so similar, it’s easy to confuse the two. Here are some tips for telling them apart:

• Flu symptoms develop quickly
• Flu causes more intense symptoms
• Colds more often cause stuffy nose and sore throat
• Colds rarely cause a fever

Additionally, different viruses cause each infection and we can vaccinate for the flu, but not the cold. 

When to get medical care

Most people with cold-like symptoms don’t need medical care; the infection will pass on its own. However, if you think you have the flu, develop a high fever, or experience symptoms that last more than a week, you need to get medical care.

We can test for the flu. If you’ve been exposed to the flu and you catch it during the first 48 hours, we can prescribe antiviral medication that may lessen the duration of your symptoms. We also do COVID-19 testing.

Whatever you’re suffering from, our team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland can recommend therapies to manage symptoms.

The best defense against the cold and flu is prevention. Get your flu vaccine, wash your hands frequently, and stay away from people who are sick. 

If you have flu-like symptoms, call our office in Midland, Michigan, today or book an appointment online. We can get you in quickly to test for the flu and provide the right treatment.