Colds and flu: The Optum Store Guide

The common cold is usually caused by a rhinovirus. “Rhino” means “nose,” and that’s where this tiny virus likes to hang out. It affects your upper respiratory system (nose, mouth and throat). There are more than 200 different viruses that cause colds, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Colds can come on gradually. Symptoms of a common cold include:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Headache
• Body aches

Colds are super contagious. They spread through coughs and sneezes. You can catch a cold when you breathe in tiny drops of the cold virus launched into the air or when you touch droplets that have landed on surfaces.

Like the common cold, the flu is a respiratory illness that affects your nose, throat and sometimes even your lungs. It’s caused by influenza viruses. That’s different from the rhinoviruses or other viruses that cause the common cold. And the flu hits you from out of nowhere.

“One of the key differences is that flu symptoms tend to be more intense and come on suddenly, in just a few hours,” says Dr. Mathis. You’re more likely to have a fever. And it should respond to fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). “And with really severe flu, you might have breathing trouble or confusion,” says Dr. Mathis.

It can even be hard for your doctor to tell the difference. They may sometimes send you for a lab test to be sure. Per the CDC, the signs of the flu include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Vomiting and diarrhea (this is more common in children)

You can get the flu at any age. But people over age 65 and those with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma have a higher risk of developing serious complications.

(Could your symptoms mean you have COVID-19 instead? Learn more here.)

Yes. For the flu, ask your doctor about the prescription medication Tamiflu (oseltamivir). It works by keeping the flu from multiplying in your body, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But you need to start taking it in the first couple of days after symptoms appear for it to be effective. It comes in pill or liquid form.

There’s no prescription medication that can treat a cold. But there are over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that can help ease the symptoms and make you feel better. Whether you’ve got a cold or the flu, try these:

• Cough suppressants: Medications such as dextromethorphan help reduce a cough.
   
• Expectorants: These medications thin out the mucus and help you cough it out of your lungs.
   
• OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen bring down fever and help with aches and pains.
   
• Decongestants: Medications such as pseudoephedrine help with congestion. You can take them orally or as a nasal spray. Caution: Do not take these if you have high blood pressure, says the American Heart Association.

Be sure to check with your doctor first to make sure it’s right for you. And don’t forget your pharmacist. They’re a great source of practical information.

Don’t forget about the treatments your mom may have given you as a kid, says Kathryn Boling, MD. She’s a family physician with Mercy Personal Physicians at Lutherville in Maryland. Try some of these tried-and-true home remedies to ease your symptoms:

• Use a saline nasal spray to reduce congestion.
   
• Try honey to soothe a cough. You can add it to tea or swallow a teaspoonful directly.
   
• If your nose is stuffy, try a humidifier. Don’t have one? Go into the bathroom, shut the door and turn the shower on hot, says Dr. Boling.
   
• Gargle with salt water to make a sore throat feel better.
   
• Try zinc, elderberry and echinacea supplements to help activate your body’s immune system.

With a cold, most people feel better in 7 to 10 days. But sometimes a cold can turn into a big problem. For those with conditions such as asthma, a weakened immune system or lung issues, a cold can lead to a more serious illness, such as pneumonia.

When should you call your provider if you have a cold? If your symptoms last longer than 10 days or you have a fever for 3 days and it’s not responding to fever reducers, it could be more than the common cold.

The aches, pains and fevers of the flu start to feel better after about a week for most people. But the cough and fatigue can last for more than 2 weeks. This is especially true if you have a chronic lung condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“All viruses can cause inflammation that drags on for a while,” Dr. Boling says. “You might have a cough or feel really tired for a while.”

But keep your doctor in the loop if your illness gets worse or lasts longer than a week. Be on the lookout for signs of severe illness. “You don’t always need to go to the doctor for the flu,” says Dr. Mathis. But if you develop a fever over 103° F — or if your fever lasts longer than 3 days — go in and get checked.

Getting your annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from getting sick. According to the CDC, flu vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and doctor visits each year. In 2019-20, the vaccine prevented 7.5 million flu cases, 105,000 hospitalizations and more than 6,000 deaths.

You can still get the flu even if you’ve had a flu shot, but your case will likely be milder. The flu shot is safe and effective for all adults and for kids 6 months and older. It’s the best way to protect yourself and the people you love.

Your flu vaccine does wear off over time, and the flu virus changes every year. That’s why you need to get a new shot each fall. Experts recommend getting a flu shot in September or October. You can get one at your doctor’s office, health clinic or local pharmacy.

(By the way, if you’re not caught up on your COVID vaccines/boosters, now is the time. You need both shots to protect yourself from illness. And it’s perfectly safe to get them at the same time.)

The best way to avoid colds and flu is to follow a healthy lifestyle. Experts say these habits are key:

• Eat a healthy diet. Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose lean proteins (chicken, seafood, eggs, red meat and legumes). Pick low-fat or no-fat dairy products. And limit processed foods, sugary sweets and salty snacks.
   
• Get regular physical activity. All adults should aim to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, according to physical activity guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services. A good way to break it up? Aim for 30 minutes on most days. You should also do muscle strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.
   
• Sleep 7 to 8 hours a night. A good night’s sleep helps your body repair cells that play a role in your body’s immune response.
   
• Wash your hands regularly. Lather up with soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to hum “Happy Birthday” to yourself twice). If soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer is a good option.
   
• Sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Try not to touch your nose and mouth when you’re out and about (they’re good entry points for germs).

Bottom line: Following healthy habits can keep you germ-free this fall.

Samuel Mathis, MD, family doctor in Galveston, Texas; board member for the American Academy of Family Physicians

Kathryn Boling, MD, family physician with Mercy Medical Center in Lutherville, Maryland

Flu stats: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). “Frequently Asked Questions about Estimated Flu Burden”
Rhinovirus: Cleveland Clinic (2020). “Common cold”
Decongestants and high blood pressure: American Heart Association (2017). “Understanding Over-the-Counter Medications and High Blood Pressure”
Flu symptoms: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). “Key Facts about Influenza.”
Tamiflu: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2017). “Tamiflu: Consumer Questions and Answers.”
Activity guidelines: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.). “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition”