The cold weather has set in again in Houston, and with it, so have the winter bugs. While (almost) 5 years ago it used to be that a runny nose meant a cold and a fever, the flu; it is now hard to tell when we are going through a cold, the flu, or if we have COVID-19.
In order to educate our community, our team of experts are explaining the difference between one and the other. When you can identify your symptoms, you are empowered to make better decisions related to your health and know whether you should visit our facilities for evaluation.
If you would like to have a professional examine you, please contact our team at any of our locations: Levelland, Lamesa, and Big Spring, Texas
Similar, but Different
Viral respiratory illnesses like colds, the flu, and even COVID-19 can all cause:
- Congestion
- a runny nose
- a sore throat
- and a cough
About the Common Cold
However, some symptoms differ, for example, a cold may also provoke sneezing, not commonly associated with influenza (flu) or COVID-19.
Although you may experience a lingering cough or nasal drainage for 10-14 days, cold symptoms typically last less than a week.
The common cold sometimes inflames the bronchial tubes, resulting in bronchitis (a chest cold), which causes severe coughing and difficulty breathing.
About the Flu
The flu and COVID-19, however, frequently include:
- Fever and chills
- Aching joints and muscles
- Moderate-to-severe fatigue
- Headache, sometimes severe
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
In addition, COVID-19 can also affect your sense of smell, causing anosmia, or taste for weeks to months.
Learning When to Seek Medical Attention
Whether you are experiencing symptoms of a common cold (and they persist), the flu or COVID-19, we encourage patients to book a telemedicine appointment. At South Plain Rural Health, we offer treatments that can reduce your symptoms, help you rest, and prevent the conditions from getting worse.
Furthermore, if your symptoms are indeed consistent with influenza or COVID-19—and especially if you have been in contact with people who have been diagnosed with either illness—, we recommend seeking medical care.
Other conditions might increase your risk of severe illness, such as:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Coronary artery disease
- Excess weight
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Age, increased risk over age 65
- Heart failure
If you suffer from any affection mentioned above, we strongly suggest seeing a healthcare professional. Also, a compromised immune system (having HIV/AIDS, receiving organ transplants, undergoing cancer treatments, or treatments for other chronic diseases) can increase the risk of viral conditions becoming severe.
Treating COVID-19
Our team of experts at South Plains Rural Health can help you if you reach out and we can detect COVID-19 on time. Antiviral therapies have proven highly effective at preventing it from getting worse. Additionally, we provide treatment that helps reduce symptoms associated with it like shortness of breath, body aches, and fever.
As proponents of the highest medical standards, we offer vaccines that prevent serious illness from COVID-19 and the flu.
Please reach out to our healthcare professionals if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. A comprehensive team of family doctors is here to help you navigate these illnesses with comfort and care. Call any of our Texas locations or book an appointment online, we will be delighted to assist you.
South Plains Rural Health: Caring for your family, growing with your community.