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Learn about colds and flu

You're sneezing, coughing, aching, and tired. Having a cold or the flu is miserable! But you can treat the symptoms. Cold symptoms tend to get worse over a few days. Flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms and come on faster. For either illness, it is important to rest and drink plenty of fluids to feel better.
Cold and flu viruses spread easily in the late fall and winter. Wash your hands often to protect yourself from catching and spreading a cold or the flu. You can lower your risk of catching the flu by getting the flu vaccine every year. If you do catch a cold or the flu, try to stay away from others to avoid spreading the disease.
Get the information you need in our cold and flu topics, such as:
- Acetaminophen
- Acute Bronchitis
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Antihistamines
- Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
- Colds
- Comforting a Child Who Has a Respiratory Illness
- Cough Symptoms in Children
- Coughs, Age 11 and Younger
- Coughs, Age 12 and Older
- COVID-19: Advice for People at High Risk
- COVID-19: Advice if You're Pregnant or Breastfeeding
- COVID-19: Caring for Someone Who Is Sick
- COVID-19: Coping With Cabin Fever
- COVID-19: Feeling Alone
- COVID-19: Keeping Your Home Safe
- COVID-19: Managing Anxiety
- COVID-19: Parenting During the Outbreak
- COVID-19: Pushing Back Against Stigma
- COVID-19: Slowing the Spread of the Virus
- Decongestants
- Difference Between Influenza (Flu) and a Cold
- Ear Infections
- Fever or Chills, Age 11 and Younger
- Fever or Chills, Age 12 and Older
- Flu Vaccine Myths
- Flu: Signs of Bacterial Infection
- Gastroenteritis in Adults and Older Children
- Handwashing
- Heart Failure: Avoiding Colds and Flu
- Influenza (Flu) Complications
- Influenza (Seasonal Flu)
- Pneumonia
- Productive Coughs
- Quick Tips: 10 Things to Do if You Have COVID-19
- Quick Tips: Safely Giving Over-the-Counter Medicines to Children
- Relieving A Cough
- Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger
- Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
- Saltwater Washes (Nasal Saline Lavage or Irrigation) for Sinusitis
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Sinusitis
- Sore Throat and Other Throat Problems
- Tonsillitis
- Vaccines to Prevent Influenza (Flu)
Current as of: August 22, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine