Millions of Americans catch infectious illnesses, like the flu and common cold. Once the temperatures drop, many of us spend more time indoors, providing a perfect environment for these respiratory viruses to spread.
At Plainsboro Princeton Medical Associates in Plainsboro Township and Monroe, New Jersey, experienced internal medicine physician Aruna Chakala, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating infectious illnesses. This blog highlights the differences between the flu, cold, and COVID-19 and explains how a same-day sick visit can help.
Infectious respiratory illnesses present many of the same symptoms, but each virus is unique. Here’s an overview of the differences between each:
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza A, B, and C viruses. It affects people of all ages but often presents more severe symptoms in infants, young children, and older adults. Telltale flu symptoms include muscle aches, cough, sore throat, fever, and a runny or stuffy nose.
There’s no way to prevent the flu entirely, but getting an annual flu shot can help. Studies show that staying current on the flu vaccine lowers your risk of illness by 40-60%.
Rhinoviruses cause the common cold, which is an infectious illness. Cold symptoms are usually milder than COVID-19 or flu and include a fever, cough, and sore throat.
Most colds improve with rest, over-the-counter medication, and drinking plenty of fluids.
There isn’t a cold vaccine, but you can reduce your risk of catching it by washing your hands, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and regularly cleaning frequently used surfaces.
A coronavirus causes COVID-19, an infectious illness. These viruses attack the upper respiratory system and cause more severe symptoms than the flu or a cold. Common signs of COVID-19 include a dry cough, extreme fatigue, and loss of taste and smell.
If you or your child develop symptoms of a contagious illness and aren’t sure how to tell the difference, schedule a same-day sick visit at Plainsboro Princeton Medical Associates, PC. Our team always makes time for same-day visits and can quickly determine the virus making you or your loved one sick.
Once you arrive at the office, your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, if they’ve gotten worse, and whether you’ve taken any over-the-counter medication.
The next step includes your provider taking your temperature, listening to your heart and lungs, and examining your eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Last, your provider completes a viral test. To do this, they collect a sample of saliva or mucus and send it to a lab for analysis.
Technicians at the lab analyze your sample for rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and influenza viruses, typically taking less than 24 hours. When we receive your test results, we contact you and provide treatment recommendations.
If you have a cold or the flu, at-home measures like rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter decongestants may help. However, if you have COVID-19, we may prescribe an anti-viral medication, like Paxlovid, to prevent the virus from reproducing.
Regardless of your diagnosis, we monitor your symptoms and adjust your care plan to ensure a speedy recovery.
Don’t wait to schedule a same-day sick visit if you or your child are under the weather. Request an appointment online or call our office at 609-799-5000 today.
