Colds and Flus

Unfortunately, we all get colds and flus. Here are some answers to common questions we get from our patients. If these don’t answer your questions, send us an email or schedule a visit.

What’s the difference between a cold and flu?

A cold is what most of us get during the winter and spring seasons. Caused by a wide range of viruses, colds often start off with a sore throat or runny nose/congestion. Persistent hacking cough, low-grade fevers, and general weakness often follow. Most colds last about a week or two but can run as long as 3–4 weeks.

Unlike a cold, the flu is much nastier and unpleasant. It’s caused by a specific virus called influenza and generally causes more significant fevers, weakness, chills, cough, congestion, and loss of appetite. It’s rare for flus to last longer than a week or so. Fortunately, we don’t get flus as often and you can get an influenza vaccine every Oct–Dec to reduce your chances of getting the flu.

When should I come in and see a doctor if I have a cold or flu?

Both colds and flus are caused by viruses and we don’t have very good medications that kill cold/flu viruses. So, for most patients with a common cold or flu, we recommend lots of sleep, water, vitamin C, and some over-the-counter remedies.

In rare situations, however, some people can develop a bacterial infection or other complication from a cold or flu. Warning signs to consider include the following: focal pain in one part of the face or body, high fevers that last longer than a couple days, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, and inability to drink fluids. If you have any of the above, we suggest you call and schedule a visit with us.

Does colored phlegm mean I have a bacterial infection?

Though commonly felt to be a sign of bacterial infection, colored phlegm simply means that you’re not drinking enough water. As your body is fighting an infection (viral or bacterial), it’s consuming a lot of water and the residue from that battle gets coughed up as phlegm. A green, yellow, brown coloration indicates a high concentration of cells/debris relative to water. So you should probably keep drinking more water.

If I have sinus pain, does that mean I have a sinus infection?

Not necessarily. Sinus pain can be caused by a blocked off sinus (caused by congestion due to a common cold). Sinus infections caused by bacteria are much more rare. In most situations, we recommend trying a decongestant (like Sudafed) to open up the blockage and relieve pressure. Nasal saline rinses can also be helpful. If you have high fevers, persistent focal pain that doesn’t get better with the above remedies, then you should probably schedule a visit for further evaluation.

What would you recommend for treatment of cold or flu symptoms?

For most colds and flus, we recommend the following:

• Get lots of sleep (sleeping allows you immune system to fight the infection more effectively)
• Drink lots of water (water helps your immune fighting cells to perform well)
• Avoid alcohol or excessive exercise (both depress your immune system)

For specific symptoms, you can try the following:

• Decongestants like Sudafed or Afrin nasal spray (for nasal congestion), unless advised by a health care provider – these should be avoided by patients with high blood pressure, heart or prostate disease.
• Antihistamines like Benadryl (for runny nose)
• Analgesics like Tylenol or Advil (for fever and achiness)
• Antitussives like Robitussin (for cough/sore throat)