Understanding seasonal illnesses: Is it a cold, the flu or allergies?
As temperatures begin to cool, it’s easy to mistake one set of symptoms for another. When illnesses start going around, you may find yourself needing to take time to recover from allergies, a cold or the flu. While all three of these can leave you feeling less than your best, they each have their own unique causes and symptoms. Understanding what’s behind your discomfort can help you take the right steps toward feeling better.
Sometimes all you need to get over these ailments is hydration and a few days of rest at home. But other times, your symptoms cause more discomfort and last longer. In those cases, it's best to seek treatment. At MD Now® urgent care, our healthcare providers can test, diagnose and provide treatment so you can get back to feeling like yourself. Here are some questions you might start asking as symptoms start to occur.
Is it a common cold?
The common cold virus is a contagious respiratory illness. Symptoms very often appear gradually and can linger for several days. Sore throat followed by nasal symptoms like runny nose, congestion and sneezing are hallmarks of this virus. A mild cough often follows by the fourth or fifth day, as well as a slight fever.
Colds usually last for about seven to 10 days. The most contagious time for a cold is in the first two to three days of having the virus. Make sure to rest, stay hydrated and avoid contact with others when possible. Keep in mind that antibiotics aren’t useful for colds or flu, since they are caused by viruses.
Is it the flu?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is another contagious viral respiratory illness. Influenza viruses spread year-round, but flu season tends to peak in the late fall and winter months. Whereas cold symptoms gradually appear, flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly and hit harder than colds or allergies. Signs include:
- Fever and chills
- Body and muscle aches
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
Symptoms usually improve within five to seven days, though fatigue can linger for several days afterwards. This is true especially for older adults, young children or people with chronic conditions, so it’s important to take the flu seriously. Seek care right away if you have shortness of breath, chest pain or worsening symptoms.
Should I get a flu shot?
In most cases, getting a flu shot before peak season will help you avoid the flu entirely or minimize your symptoms if you do get the flu. While it won't prevent allergies or colds, your flu shot helps your body build protection and can reduce both the severity and duration of illness if you do get sick with the flu virus.
With convenient flu shots, MD Now® urgent care clinics are making prevention easier this year. Walk in or use our convenient Web Check-In® to wait from anywhere.
Is it allergies?
Unlike colds or flu, allergies aren’t caused by viruses—they’re your body’s immune response to triggers like pollen, dust or pet dander. Allergy symptoms often include:
- Sneezing fits
- Runny or itchy nose
- Watery or itchy eyes
- Congestion that lasts weeks rather than days
If symptoms show up at the same time every year or don’t clear up after a week, allergies may be the culprit. MD Now providers can help with testing and treatments so you can breathe easier.
Should I visit urgent care?
If you need quick answers about what’s causing your symptoms, a trip to urgent care or a Virtual Visit might be just what you're looking for. If you have a high fever, persistent cough or body aches, it might be time to visit your nearest MD Now urgent care clinic — especially if your condition is not improving.
A visit to urgent care can help you rule out other conditions like strep throat, sinus infections or bronchitis. These share some of the cold, flu and allergy symptoms, but can have different treatments. And if you're simply looking for relief and guidance on how to recover safely, urgent care providers can help you get back on track.
About MD Now® urgent care
MD Now® urgent care is Florida’s largest urgent care operator with 100+ state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located across the state of Florida. MD Now urgent care’s physician-led team of healthcare professionals provides high-quality healthcare through a comprehensive lineup of urgent care and occupational health services during convenient hours. MD Now urgent care is proud to be affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare. For more information, visit the MD Now® urgent care website.