Cold, Flu, or COVID: Understanding Your Symptoms

Know the Differences and When to Seek Care

A cough begins, your throat feels uncomfortable, and fatigue makes it difficult to complete your normal routine. Is it a cold, influenza, or COVID-19?

These respiratory illnesses can cause many of the same symptoms. Although certain patterns may offer clues, symptoms alone cannot always identify which virus is responsible. Testing and a medical evaluation may be needed to confirm the cause and guide appropriate treatment.

UrgentCare2go® provides eligible mobile medical evaluations and respiratory testing at homes, workplaces, hotels, and other serviced locations throughout several Texas communities.

Why Are These Illnesses Difficult to Tell Apart?

The common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 affect the respiratory system. All three can cause symptoms involving the nose, throat, lungs, and the rest of the body.

Overlapping symptoms may include:

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Fever or chills

• Muscle or body aches

• Decreased appetite

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that flu and COVID-19 cannot be reliably distinguished by symptoms alone because they share many of the same signs. Testing may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Symptoms can also differ from person to person. Age, vaccination history, underlying medical conditions, immune status, previous infections, and the specific virus strain can affect how an illness feels.

What Does a Common Cold Usually Feel Like?

The common cold is caused by several types of viruses, including rhinoviruses. Symptoms often develop gradually and primarily affect the nose and throat.

Common cold symptoms may include:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sneezing

• Mild cough

• Scratchy or sore throat

• Watery eyes

• Mild headache

• Mild fatigue

• Postnasal drainage

• Low-grade fever in some patients

Body aches and significant exhaustion are generally less prominent with a cold than with influenza, but every patient is different.

Cold symptoms are often mild, but a condition that appears to be a cold can sometimes be another illness. Persistent fever, worsening cough, shortness of breath, severe sinus pain, ear pain, dehydration, or symptoms that improve and then return should be evaluated.

Learn more about cold symptoms and care through UrgentCare2go.

What Does Influenza Usually Feel Like?

Influenza, commonly called the flu, often begins more suddenly than a typical cold. A person may feel relatively well and then develop significant symptoms within a short period.

Common flu symptoms include:

• Fever or feeling feverish

• Chills

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Headache

• Muscle or body aches

• Pronounced fatigue

• Weakness

• Vomiting or diarrhea, particularly in children

Not everyone with influenza develops a fever. The CDC notes that flu symptoms commonly begin suddenly and can range from mild to severe.

Influenza can lead to complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, worsening asthma, or worsening of another chronic health condition. Older adults, young children, pregnant patients, immunocompromised individuals, and people with certain chronic conditions may have a greater risk of severe illness.

UrgentCare2go offers eligible mobile flu testing, including rapid or molecular testing when available and clinically appropriate.

What Does COVID-19 Usually Feel Like?

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms can range from very mild to severe, and some infected people have no noticeable symptoms.

Possible symptoms include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle or body aches

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• A new change in taste or smell

A change in taste or smell may occur with COVID-19, but its absence does not rule out an infection.

COVID-19 and influenza have substantial symptom overlap. A healthcare professional may recommend testing for one or both viruses based on your symptoms, exposure history, risk factors, and how long you have been ill.

Visit the UrgentCare2go COVID-19 information page for additional information.

Can You Have More Than One Infection?

It is possible to become infected with more than one respiratory virus at the same time. A positive result for one illness does not always exclude another infection.

Symptoms that are severe, unusual, or worsening still require appropriate medical attention, even if you already received a positive test result.

A healthcare professional may also consider other possible causes, including:

• Respiratory syncytial virus

• Strep throat

• Bronchitis

• Pneumonia

• Sinus infection

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Another viral or bacterial infection

Testing should be selected according to the patient’s symptoms and clinical evaluation rather than performed without a medical reason.

When Should You Consider Testing?

Testing may be helpful when:

• You have flu-like or COVID-like symptoms

• You were recently exposed to someone who was ill

• You live with someone at higher risk of severe illness

• Your employer, school, or care facility requires a result

• A diagnosis may affect treatment decisions

• You have upcoming contact with a vulnerable person

• Your symptoms are worsening or not improving

• A healthcare professional recommends testing

The timing of a test matters. Testing too early or too late may affect whether an infection is detected. A negative rapid test does not always rule out illness, especially when symptoms and exposure history strongly suggest an infection.

Depending on the circumstances, a healthcare professional may recommend:

• Repeating a rapid test

• Completing a molecular test

• Testing for influenza and COVID-19

• Testing for strep throat or RSV

• Performing a physical examination

• Completing additional laboratory testing

• Obtaining chest imaging at an appropriate facility

Why Can Early Evaluation Matter?

Some treatments for influenza and COVID-19 work best when started within a limited period after symptoms begin. Eligibility depends on the diagnosis, symptom timing, age, medical history, current medications, risk factors, and the healthcare professional’s judgment.

Seeking guidance early may be especially important if you:

• Are 65 years of age or older

• Are pregnant or recently postpartum

• Have asthma or another chronic lung condition

• Have heart disease

• Have diabetes

• Have chronic kidney or liver disease

• Have a weakened immune system

• Take immune-suppressing medication

• Have another condition associated with severe illness

• Are caring for a medically vulnerable person

Do not take antibiotics left over from a previous illness. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19. They should only be used when prescribed for an appropriate bacterial infection.

What Happens During a Mobile Respiratory Visit?

A mobile medical appointment may include:

1. Reviewing your symptoms: The healthcare professional asks when the illness began, how it has changed, and whether you had a recent exposure.

2. Reviewing your health history: This may include chronic conditions, medications, allergies, previous respiratory problems, and risk factors.

3. Checking your vital signs: Temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation may be measured when appropriate.

4. Performing an examination: The healthcare professional may evaluate your throat, ears, breathing, hydration, and other relevant findings.

5. Completing appropriate testing: A nasal or throat specimen may be collected when testing is indicated and available.

6. Developing a care plan: You may receive symptom-management guidance, a prescription when medically appropriate, follow-up instructions, or a recommendation for a higher level of care.

Not every patient needs the same tests or treatment. The medical professional will base recommendations on the complete evaluation.

How Should You Prepare for the Appointment?

Before the mobile team arrives, have the following ready:

• Government-issued photo identification

• Current insurance card

• Medication and supplement list

• Medication allergies

• Relevant medical history

• Recent test results

• The date your symptoms began

• Your highest recorded temperature

• Information about known exposures

• Recent oxygen readings, if available

• Preferred pharmacy information

Choose a clean, well-lit space for the evaluation. Keep your telephone available because the medical assistant will send a text message when traveling to your location.

UrgentCare2go uses a three-hour arrival window. All pets should be safely secured before the healthcare professional arrives.

How Can You Care for Yourself While Sick?

General supportive care may include:

• Resting

• Drinking appropriate fluids

• Monitoring your temperature

• Using a humidifier

• Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke

• Taking medications only as directed

• Monitoring for new or worsening symptoms

• Following the healthcare professional’s instructions

Ask a healthcare professional before taking over-the-counter medicine if you are pregnant, have a chronic medical condition, take prescription medication, or are caring for a child.

Avoid taking multiple cold or flu products without reviewing their active ingredients. Different products may contain the same medication, increasing the risk of an accidental overdose.

How Can You Reduce the Spread?

If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms:

• Stay home and away from others while you are acutely ill

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Wash or sanitize your hands regularly

• Improve indoor airflow when possible

• Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils

• Clean frequently touched surfaces

• Consider wearing a well-fitting mask around other people

• Be especially cautious around people at higher risk

Current CDC guidance advises remaining home and away from others until symptoms are improving overall and you have been fever-free without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours. Additional precautions are recommended for the following five days.

Follow any additional instructions provided by your employer, school, healthcare professional, or local public-health authority.

When Is It an Emergency?

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for symptoms such as:

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Chest pain or persistent chest pressure

• Blue, gray, or unusually pale lips or skin

• New confusion

• Difficulty waking or remaining awake

• Loss of consciousness

• A seizure

• Severe dehydration

• Coughing up significant blood

• Very low oxygen levels

• Rapidly worsening symptoms

• Any other potentially life-threatening concern

Infants, older adults, pregnant patients, and people with weakened immune systems may require earlier evaluation. Contact a healthcare professional if you are concerned about the severity of an illness, even when an emergency warning sign is not present.

Are Respiratory Visits and Tests Covered?

Insurance coverage depends on the health plan, network, diagnosis, requested service, and type of test performed.

Before scheduling, ask your insurance company:

• Is UrgentCare2go in my network?

• Is the treating healthcare professional in network?

• Is a mobile urgent-care visit covered?

• Does my copay or deductible apply?

• Are flu and COVID-19 tests covered?

• Is laboratory processing billed separately?

• Does testing require prior authorization?

• Are prescribed medications covered separately?

• What amount may I owe?

Coverage for the medical evaluation does not automatically guarantee coverage for every test, medication, laboratory service, or follow-up appointment.

Where Is Mobile Care Available?

Eligible mobile services may be available in:

• Dallas–Fort Worth

• Arlington

• Austin

• Brownwood

• El Paso

• Farmers Branch

• Houston

• San Antonio

• Surrounding serviced communities

Availability depends on the patient’s address, requested service, appointment time, testing supplies, and mobile-team coverage.

Get Help Understanding Your Symptoms

Cold, flu, and COVID-19 can look very similar. Instead of relying on one symptom, consider your full health history, possible exposures, risk factors, and whether testing may be appropriate.

Visit UrgentCare2go to learn more or request a mobile medical appointment. You may also call (817) 508-8169 for scheduling and service-availability assistance.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Testing, treatment, service availability, insurance coverage, and patient costs vary. Call 911 or seek emergency care for severe or life-threatening symptoms.