Have you ever shown symptoms and wondered whether you have a cold or the flu? This is because having a cold and having the flu can display similar symptoms. Check out the chart below, find out which infection you have, and follow the day-by-day advice given below.

Cold
Day 1
Hold off on calling the Doctor.
There is no prescription drug that your doctor can prescribe that will shorten the length of the common cold. A cold is a viral infection that cannot be treated by antibiotics, which fight bacterial infections. Furthermore, antiviral drugs are used to ease symptoms of the flu, so it cannot be used to calm a cold. However, you can take the following over-the-counter drugs to ease the pain of the common cold:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
Practice extra good hygiene
- Touch others
- Cough/Sneeze into your hands (then touch another object)
Do:
- Wash hands with soap and water regularly (Especially after sneezing and/or coughing)
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Cough or sneeze into a cloth (ig. tissue, your upper sleeve, elbow)
- If you use a tissue, make sure to put in a trashcan
- Consider taking vitamin C
Days 2-4
- Honey or salt-water gargle to ease sore throat
- Saline nasal spray to east congestion
- Eat warm soup or drink warm beverages to thin mucus
5+ Days
Flu
Day 1
Stay home
On the first day of having the flu you are highly contagious, so it is best to not spread germs. The flu usually lasts for 1-2 weeks but after a few days, symptoms may ease, and you can reconsider going out. Have someone bring in some flu-survival basics such as:
- Tissues
- Easy-to-eat foods
- Over-the-counter medications
- Chicken soup
- 65 years or older
- Younger than 5 years old
- Pregnant or just had a baby
- Have a chronic disease such as asthma, heart disease, or other chronic diseases
- Remember to consult with your physician before taking any medication
The flu often starts off with a temperature over 100° F. To ease head and body aches that come with the flu, you can take:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
Days 2-4
Fluids, Fluids, Fluids!
Fevers can increase the chances of becoming dehydrated, so drinking plenty of water is a must. Try mixing a salty liquid such as chicken or vegetable broth and a sweet liquid like tea, juice, or iced fruit pops. According to Patricia A. Stinchfield, a pediatric nurse practitioner, the mixture will replace electrolytes, promote full hydration and may help thin out thick mucus.
Monitor your temperature
A low-grade fever itself is not harmful, however, it can mean that you are still contagious. Monitoring your temperature can keep you up to date on if your temperature spikes or not. In young children, temperature spikes may trigger seizures.
Reach out to your healthcare provider if needed
Watch out for complications such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, or if you experience disorientation. These are signs that indicate pneumonia, bronchitis, or dehydration. The individuals vulnerable to these conditions are:
- Children
- Elderly
- People with chronic conditions
You should also reach out to your healthcare provider if drinking or urinating become difficult or is painful.
Days 5-6
Invest in some natural remedies
After a few days of having the flu in your system, the body aches and fevers may by gone but sore throat and cough often continue for a while longer. Here are a few good remedies that will be useful during this time:
- Lozenges
- Honey
- Salt-water gargle
- Plenty of tea or soup
If you feel that you are recovering and have been without a fever for 24 hours, then you many consider getting back to school or work.
7+ Days
Do not panic
Like mentioned above, the flu can last up to 1-2 weeks. If you feel that you are in the process of recovering, just continue what you have been doing and little by little, you should be on your way to full recovery.
Call your healthcare provider
If you are not improving or you are showing signs of complications, you may be developing pneumonia, sinusitis, or another health-related issue. Call you healthcare provider to learn more about what you can do.
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