11/10/2026
š¤§ Cold, flu, or COVID-19? Know the symptoms.
Viral upper respiratory tract infections affect the nose, sinuses, throat, and voice box. Common symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough.
š¦ Common cold: Usually develops gradually, with sneezing, congestion, a scratchy throat, and mild cough.
š¦ Flu: Often begins suddenly, with fever or chills, muscle aches, headache, marked fatigue, and cough.
š¦ COVID-19: May cause sore throat, cough, congestion, fever, fatigue, and body aches. Changes in taste or smell can also occur.
š¦ RSV: Usually causes cold-like symptoms, but can become more seriousāespecially in babies and older adults.
These infections can also cause sinus pressure, a painful throat, or hoarseness. In young children, croup causes a distinctive barking cough and sometimes noisy breathing.
š” Symptoms overlap, so testing may be needed to distinguish flu from COVID-19. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV can also affect the lungs.
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Most uncomplicated infections improve within 1ā2 weeks. Rest, fluids, and appropriate symptom relief can help. Antibiotics do not treat viruses.
šØ Seek urgent care for difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, severe dehydration, or inability to swallow. Contact a healthcare professional if fever lasts more than three days or symptoms improve and then worsen.
People who are pregnant, older, immunocompromised, or living with chronic conditions should seek advice early.
