Cold and Flu Season Guide: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment
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Cold and flu symptoms can look similar, but the illnesses often differ in how quickly they start and how intense they feel. Knowing what to watch for can help you manage mild symptoms at home and recognize when it may be time to contact a healthcare provider.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
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How to tell a cold from the flu
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When to get your annual flu vaccine
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How to manage symptoms at home
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When flu symptoms may require medical care
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Adults age 65 and older
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Children younger than 5, especially those younger than 2
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Pregnant people and people up to two weeks postpartum
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People with certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease
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People with weakened immune systems
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Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.
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Cover coughs and sneezes and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
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Improve indoor air quality when possible through ventilation or air filtration.
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Stay home and away from others when you’re sick.
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Get a flu vaccine every season if you’re eligible.
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
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Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
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Persistent dizziness, confusion, difficulty waking, or seizures
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Severe weakness or unsteadiness
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Signs of dehydration, such as not urinating
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Fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens
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Worsening of chronic medical conditions
When Is Cold and Flu Season?
The common cold and influenza are contagious respiratory illnesses that circulate year-round, but cases tend to increase during the fall and winter.
In the U.S., flu activity often starts increasing in the fall and can continue into the spring. Historically, activity has most often peaked during the winter months.
Flu isn’t the only respiratory illness circulating during this time. Rhinoviruses and seasonal coronaviruses can cause the common cold, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 can cause similar respiratory symptoms.
Before respiratory illness activity increases, consider getting your flu vaccine, keeping basic over-the-counter medications at home, and knowing how to access medical care if you need it.
Cold vs. Flu: How to Tell the Difference
Cold and flu symptoms can overlap, including cough, sore throat, fatigue, and nasal congestion. However, flu symptoms generally begin more abruptly and tend to be more intense. Cold symptoms are usually milder and more likely to include a runny or stuffy nose.
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Gradual | Abrupt |
| Fever | Rare | Common |
| Body aches | Usually mild | Common, sometimes severe |
| Fatigue | Sometimes | Common |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Mild to moderate | Common, may be severe |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Headache | Rare | Common |
| Chills | Uncommon | Fairly common |
The biggest general differences are onset and severity: Colds tend to develop gradually and cause milder symptoms, while flu often starts more suddenly and can cause more intense symptoms. Not everyone with the flu develops a fever.
Symptoms alone can’t always tell you which illness you have. Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory infections can overlap, and testing may be useful when knowing the cause could affect treatment.
Understanding the Flu Vaccine
Annual flu vaccination is an important way to reduce the risk of influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine every season for everyone age 6 months and older, with rare exceptions.
Flu vaccines are updated each season based on the influenza viruses expected to circulate. A flu shot can’t give you the flu, although some people may experience temporary soreness or other mild side effects after vaccination.
Flu vaccine effectiveness varies by season. Even when vaccination doesn’t completely prevent infection, it can reduce the risk of severe illness and complications.
Many health plans cover recommended preventive services, including vaccines, without cost sharing when applicable plan requirements are met. Check your benefits and provider network for details.
When Should You Get Your Flu Shot?
For most people who need one flu vaccine dose each season, September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated.
The CDC recommends vaccination by the end of October for most people, but getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial while influenza viruses are circulating.
Timing may differ for certain groups. Some children need two doses during a season, while adults age 65 and older are generally advised not to get vaccinated too early because protection can decrease over time. Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about timing or which vaccine is appropriate for you.
If you’re reviewing your health coverage during Open Enrollment, compare how available plans handle preventive care, prescriptions, office visits, and urgent care.
Who Is Most at Risk for Severe Flu?
Anyone can become seriously ill from influenza, but some people have a greater risk of complications.
Higher-risk groups include:
If you’re at higher risk and develop flu symptoms, contact a healthcare provider promptly. Prescription antiviral treatment can be particularly important for people at greater risk of complications.
Families can also prepare by knowing which clinics, urgent care centers, telehealth services, or nurse advice lines are available through their health plan. Coverage Fox can help you compare individual health insurance and family health insurance options.
Treating Cold and Flu Symptoms
Most colds and uncomplicated cases of flu can be managed at home. Rest, fluids, and symptom relief can help while you recover.
Drinking water, broth, or other fluids can help prevent dehydration, while warm liquids may soothe a sore throat. A clean humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer may also help relieve nasal or throat discomfort.
Over-the-counter medications may help with individual symptoms. Depending on your age and health history, options may include acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and body aches, saline nasal sprays, throat lozenges, or certain cough and congestion medicines.
Follow package directions, and check with a healthcare professional or pharmacist if you take other medications, have an underlying medical condition, are pregnant, or aren’t sure which products are appropriate for you.
Antiviral Treatment for Flu
Prescription antiviral medications can treat influenza and are different from over-the-counter cold medicines.
Flu antivirals work best when treatment begins within one to two days after symptoms start. Treatment can still be helpful later, especially for people who are very sick, hospitalized, or at higher risk of serious complications.
Antibiotics don’t treat influenza or the common cold because these illnesses are caused by viruses. A healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics if a bacterial infection is also present.
How Long Does the Flu Last?
Flu symptoms often improve within several days to about a week, although recovery varies.
Fatigue and cough may continue after other flu symptoms improve. Colds usually last less than a week, although some symptoms can linger.
Pay attention to whether your symptoms are improving. Symptoms that become significantly worse, improve and then return, or involve difficulty breathing may require medical attention.
Can You Get the Flu More Than Once?
Yes. More than one influenza virus can circulate during the same season, and having one flu infection doesn’t necessarily protect you from another.
What feels like getting the flu twice may also be two different illnesses. For example, someone could recover from influenza and later develop a cold, COVID-19, RSV, or another respiratory infection.
Testing may help identify the illness when the result could affect treatment, particularly for people at higher risk of complications.
How to Help Prevent the Spread of Cold and Flu
No prevention strategy can eliminate every respiratory infection, but everyday habits can help reduce transmission:
Current CDC respiratory virus guidance says you can generally return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms have been improving overall and you haven’t had a fever without using fever-reducing medication.
For the next five days, consider additional precautions such as cleaner air, good hygiene, a well-fitting mask, physical distancing, or testing when appropriate.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most colds and mild cases of flu resolve without emergency treatment, but some symptoms require medical attention.
Seek prompt medical care for severe or concerning symptoms. CDC warning signs for flu complications include:
Children can have different warning signs, including fast or difficult breathing, significant dehydration, difficulty waking, or an inability to drink enough fluids. Any fever in an infant younger than 12 weeks requires prompt medical evaluation.
People at higher risk of severe flu should contact a healthcare provider early rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
FAQs About Cold, Flu, and Health Coverage
How Can Health Insurance Help Me During Cold and Flu Season?
Depending on your plan, health insurance may cover services such as primary care visits, urgent care, prescriptions, telehealth, diagnostic testing, and preventive care.
Your costs depend on your coverage. Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, prescription formularies, and provider networks can all affect what you pay, so check your specific benefits before receiving care.
What If I Get Sick Before My New Insurance Starts?
Care received before a new health insurance policy’s effective date generally isn’t covered retroactively by that plan.
If you have a temporary coverage gap, short-term health insurance may be available in some states and situations. These plans aren’t the same as Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant major medical coverage and can have exclusions or limitations, so review the terms carefully.
How Do I Choose Between Individual and Family Health Insurance?
Individual health insurance covers one person, while family coverage is designed for multiple eligible household members under the same policy.
Compare provider networks, prescriptions, expected healthcare use, premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs rather than looking only at the monthly premium.
Can I Change My Health Plan Outside Open Enrollment?
You may be able to enroll in or change health coverage outside the regular enrollment period if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Qualifying life events can include losing eligible health coverage, getting married, having or adopting a child, or certain moves. Eligibility requirements vary, so review the applicable rules if your circumstances change.
Where Can I Compare Health Insurance Plans?
Coverage Fox lets you explore coverage based on your household needs, available options, and budget. A health insurance plan comparison can help you evaluate deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, provider networks, prescription coverage, and other plan details before choosing coverage.
