Winter viruses – cold, flu, or COVID – love crowded rooms, travel, and holiday gatherings. When symptoms hit, it can be hard to know what you’re dealing with and which treatment is best.
Colds: usually mild and gradual
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Mild cough
- Low or no fever
Colds tend to creep in slowly and stay mostly above the neck.
Flu: hits suddenly and hard
- High fever
- Body aches or chills
- Deep fatigue
- Dry cough and headache
Flu symptoms appear suddenly. Many patients can point to the exact hour they felt sick.
COVID: variable but distinct
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Body aches
- Loss of taste or smell (less common now but still possible)
COVID can mimic flu or a cold, so testing is the only reliable way to know for sure.
When to visit urgent care
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or tightness
- Persistent fever over 102°F
- Signs of dehydration
- High-risk conditions (asthma, diabetes, pregnancy, heart disease)
Not sure what’s causing symptoms? Walk in or book online. we offer fast testing and same-day treatment.
