Waking up with a runny nose or body aches is never fun, especially during the height of cold and flu season! Both the cold and flu viruses share similar symptoms, so it is important to know which one you are suffering from so you can seek the appropriate treatment.

While both illnesses are relatively common during the fall and winter seasons, there are millions of cases of the common cold each year in the United States! It is normal to have two to three colds a year, while contracting the flu is not something you should expect to happen every year. Get the details from our AFC Urgent Care Memphis team below.

What Are the Similarities Between the Flu And a Cold?

Both the flu and the common cold (and COVID-19, as well) are caused by a viral infection within your upper respiratory system. When your respiratory system is affected, you can expect symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat or a headache.

With any virus, you are contagious while you are symptomatic, so it is important to stay home and take care of yourself while you are feeling sick. Drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as you can.

Indications of a Cold

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Gradual symptom onset
• Sneezing

How Are Colds and the Flu Different?

One of the largest differences is the appearance of your symptoms. If you start to notice a few mild symptoms over the course of a day or two, it is most likely a cold. If it seems like your symptoms appeared out of nowhere, that indicates the flu.

Symptoms associated with the flu tend to be more severe than the common cold, and can bring about fever, chills and muscle weakness. The good news is that while your flu symptoms may be more severe, they don’t tend to linger as long as cold symptoms.

Indications of the Flu

• Fever
• Headache
• Abrupt symptom onset
• Weakness

No one wants to feel sick! If you are concerned about your lingering symptoms or a persistent fever, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Memphis today, where you can be tested for the flu and COVID-19.