How can you tell if you have the flu or a cold if you wake up sneezing, coughing, and feeling achy, feverish, and unable to move a muscle? Understanding the distinction between flu and cold symptoms is essential. The flu is a more severe respiratory infection. Flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks, whereas cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days. Additionally, the flu can cause serious health issues like pneumonia and hospitalizations.
Common cold symptoms:
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Sore throat.
- Cough.
- Congestion.
- Slight body aches or a mild headache.
- Sneezing.
- Low-grade fever.
- Generally feeling unwell.
- Flu symptoms:
- fever.
- cough.
- sore throat.
- runny or stuffy nose.
- muscle or body aches.
- headaches.
- fatigue.
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
The typical duration of cold symptoms is about a week. You are contagious for the first three days that you experience cold symptoms. Because of this, you might spread the cold to other people, so stay at home and get some much-needed rest.
Is it flu or cold symptoms?
Nasal congestion, cough, aches, and malaise are common cold symptoms that flu symptoms often resemble. However, fevers above 101 degrees are uncommon in the common cold. When you first get the flu, you probably will have a high temperature and be miserable. With the flu, muscle and body aches are also more common.
When do I call the doctor with flu or cold symptoms?
If you already have flu or cold symptoms, it’s important to call your doctor if you also have any of the following severe symptoms:
- Persistent fever
- Persistent coughing
- Persistent congestion and headaches
- Severe chest pain
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Book appointment of Dr. Chaitanya challa (Leading Flu specialist in Hyderabad) today.
