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Is it the Flu, or Something Else?

December 12, 2019

Flu season has arrived. But if you start to feel a little under the weather, how would you know if it’s the flu or a nasty cold?

Colds and the flu can have similar symptoms; sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, chest discomfort, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, headache, and fever (although fever is rare during a cold).

Here’s the difference: In general a cold will come on more gradually, where the flu will often start more abruptly, like overnight.  With the flu you usually feel aches and are more likely to get headaches, chills, fatigue and feel weak throughout the body.  Wheezing, stuffy nose and sore throat are more common in a cold. Coughing is common with both the flu and a cold, but will likely be mild to moderate for a cold, and more severe with flu.

Not sure? Click here to schedule a virtual visit with a Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent care doctor.

Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment, check wait times or to find other GoHealth locations, click here.