Is it a Cold or the Flu?

Author: Sarkis Banipalsin, MD

A person blowing their nose sitting at a computer

Although they may have similar symptoms, the flu (influenza) and the common cold are caused by different viruses. Though both are viral infections, the flu is generally considered more serious. Because they are both caused by viral infections rather than bacterial ones, antibiotics will not help.

So how do you know if you or a loved one has a cold or the flu? In general, the flu is more severe than the common cold because it poses a greater risk of complications, including pneumonia, bacterial infection or hospitalization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer guidelines on determining the difference between a cold and the flu.

A cold is typically less severe and is accompanied by a runny or stuffy nose. Symptoms of the flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (unusual tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu.

	Cold Signs and Symptoms	Flu Signs and Symptoms
Symptom onset	Gradual	Abrupt
Fever	Rare	Usual
Aches	Slight	Usual
Chills	Uncommon	Fairly common
Fatigue, weakness	Sometimes	Usual
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes
Stuffy nose	Common	Sometimes
Sore throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough	Mild to moderate	Common
Headache	Rare	Common

Urgent Care at Washington Hospital

If you or your loved one is having a medical emergency, call 911. If cold or flu symptoms are severe enough that you need to seek medical attention, please visit your closest Urgent Care facility.

At Washington Hospital, our urgent care services are tailored to meet the immediate health care needs of you and your family. With shorter wait times and lower cost than typical emergency care, it’s equipped to handle minor emergencies and illnesses from sprains and fractures to cold and flu.

Washington Hospital Urgent Care
2500 Mowry Ave., Suite 212
Washington West Building,
Fremont, CA 94538

Open daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p. m.
Some appointments available; walk-ins are welcome.
For more information, call 510.791.2273 or visit the Washington Hospital website.

Posted November, 2019

About Sarkis Banipalsin, MD
Sarkis Banipalsin, MD, is a practicing Family Practitioner in Fremont, CA with over 27 years of experience. He completed a residency at Swedish Covenant Hospital (Chicago IL). He currently practices at Washington Urgent Care and has been a part of Washington Hospital for more than 10 years.