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Coughs, Colds, Sore Throat and the Flu

Colds and flu are contagious viral respiratory conditions. Coughs and sore throats are common symptoms of colds and flu.

Symptoms tend to be worse with the flu and hit you faster than those of a cold.

Our doctors and their care teams can diagnose your cough, sore throat, or other flu or cold symptoms. They can offer medicines and home treatments to help you feel better.

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What Are Colds, Flu, Coughs, and Sore Throats?

Colds and flu are both contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses.

Coughs and sore throats are common symptoms of colds and flu. Allergies, strep throat, and other health problems can also cause coughs and sore throats.

The flu often comes on suddenly and is worse than the common cold.

Most common colds don't cause other health problems.

The flu, left untreated, can:

  • Cause pneumonia.
  • Put you in the hospital.
  • Even cause death.

Most people get 2 to 3 colds each year. The flu is less common, with about 8% of people in the U.S. getting sick each year.

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What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Colds and Flu?

Colds can last a day to a few weeks.

Symptoms of a cold include:

  • Cough.
  • Sore throat.
  • Runny or stuffy nose.
  • Headache.
  • Watery eyes.
  • Sneezing.

The flu can also last a few days to a few weeks.

Flu symptoms are like cold symptoms, but they come on more quickly and are usually more severe. Plus, the flu causes fever, fatigue, and body aches much more often than colds do.

What causes coughs, colds, and flu?

More than 200 viruses can cause cold symptoms, including a sore throat, cough, runny nose, and headache.

Strains of the influenza virus are what cause the flu.

Other health problems, like allergies or strep throat, can also cause symptoms of a cold.

When someone infected with a cold or flu virus coughs, sneezes, or speaks, they send virus particles into the air. If you're near that person, you can then breathe in the virus and get sick.

A cold or flu virus can infect you before you get symptoms like a cough or sore throat.

Some people can "carry" the virus and infect others for a short time, even though they never get symptoms themselves. In other words, you can get a cold or flu from someone who doesn't have symptoms.

You can also get a cold or flu by holding hands and kissing.

What are cold and flu risk factors and complications?

Certain risk factors can make you more likely to get a cold or flu. These risk factors can also mean you get more severe symptoms.

Cold and flu risk factors include:

  • Age. Younger children get more colds each year and are more likely to get the flu, too. Older adults are more likely to become very sick from respiratory viruses, especially the flu.
  • A weak immune system. People with weaker immune systems from a health problem or medicine are more prone to getting cold or flu symptoms.
  • Stress and poor sleep. You're more likely to get cold symptoms when you're stressed or sleep-deprived. This is because your immune system isn't as able to fight off the virus.
  • Exposure. People who are in close quarters with many people have a higher chance of getting a cold or flu. For instance, you may notice you get cold or flu symptoms after a party or airplane trip.
  • Smoking. People who smoke get more colds. Their cold symptoms are often more severe and last longer, compared to people who don't smoke.

Complications of coughs, colds, sore throats and the flu

Sometimes, the virus that causes the flu or even a common cold can spread to the lungs. This causes viral pneumonia — a lung infection that can be serious as it causes trouble breathing.

Cold and flu viruses can also:

  • Weaken the immune system, allowing bacteria to take over in the lungs (bacterial pneumonia).
  • Spread to the ears and sinuses, causing ear infections and sinusitis.
  • Make asthma worse.

The flu is more dangerous than the common cold. Though rare, the flu can cause swelling in the heart or brain, and it can impair kidney function.

How can I reduce my risks of getting a cold or the flu?

To reduce your risk of getting colds and flu, you can:

  • Avoid people with cold symptoms.
  • Wear a mask in crowded areas, especially during colder months (October to May) when colds and flu spread much more.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Get enough sleep and reduce stress.
  • Give your body the nutrients it needs to fight viruses. Eat a wide range of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.

When should I see a doctor for a cold or flu?

You should see a doctor if you have:

  • Trouble breathing.
  • Fast breathing or fast heart rate.
  • Fever that lasts beyond 4 days.
  • Symptoms that don't get better after 10 days.
  • A fever or cough that goes away but comes back within days or weeks (this could be pneumonia).
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How Do You Diagnose Colds and Flu?

Your doctor will:

  • Ask about your symptoms, including when they started.
  • Look at the back of your throat for signs of infection, like swelling and redness. If strep bacteria is the cause of your sore throat, the doctor may see white patches.
  • Use a stethoscope to listen as you breathe to check if the infection has spread to your lungs. When people have pneumonia, the lungs make crackling or rumbling sounds.

If your doctor suspects pneumonia, they may order an x-ray to look for fluid in the lungs.

What's causing my cough or sore throat if it's not a cold or flu?

To help diagnose other issues that can cause coughs and sore throats, your doctor may order tests like:

  • A strep throat test.
  • Allergy tests.
  • Blood tests.
  • CT or MRI scans.
  • Laryngoscopy to look at your voice box.

Other possible diagnoses of a cough or sore throat include common problems like allergies.

In rare cases, more serious health issues like cancers and COPD can cause long-term coughs and sore throats.

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How Do You Treat Colds, Flu, Coughs, and Sore Throats?

Most colds and flu go away on their own without a doctor's care.

If your symptoms are making you feel lousy, our doctors can offer treatments and advice to help relieve them.

People who could get very sick from the flu should see a doctor right away for early antiviral treatment. This can help reduce the risk of getting further issues from the flu. Learn more from UPMC HealthBeat.

How do you treat coughs, colds, sore throats and flu?

If you have a cold or flu, you can feel better by:

  • Getting rest, so your body can work to destroy the virus.
  • Staying hydrated with water, juice, or clear broth. This helps your body flush out the virus, and restore fluids you may lose when sweating with a fever.
  • Using a spoon of honey, salt water gargles, or lozenges to soothe a sore throat.
  • Using a humidifier, which will make it easier to breathe if you're congested. It will also help if you have a dry, sore throat.

Over-the-counter drugs to treat coughs, sore throats, and other cold and flu symptoms

You can also get the following medicines over the counter:

  • Decongestants or antihistamines for a runny or stuffy nose. These come in pill or nasal spray form. They don't work if taken more than 3 days in a row, so save them for the worst days.
  • Pain medicine, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, for headaches, muscle aches, or fevers.
  • Cough suppressants.

Doctors don't advise taking OTC cough medicines for more than a week. Plus, decongestants don't work if you take them more than 3 days in a row.

If your cold or flu symptoms continue after a week without improving, see your doctor for help.

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Last reviewed by Donna Geraci, CRNP on 2024-05-14.