Cold and Flu: When To See a Doctor

Colds are part and parcel of childhood. For example, school children may have between 6 to 12 colds a year.¹

Both colds and flu are caused by viruses.² The most common cause of the common cold is the rhinovirus.¹ Flu viruses can vary with the seasons and geographical areas.^1,3 However, colds and flu are similar, with some overlapping symptoms.^3,4 There are some differences too. For example, colds frequently cause nasal congestion or a runny nose, which is less often associated with flu, while symptoms of the flu are often more severe and a high fever is common.⁴

Colds typically last for 1 to 2 days producing the following symptoms:^,2,4

• Occasional, usually mild, fever
• a runny or stuffy nose and congested sinuses
• sore throat
• cough
• sneezing
• headaches
• Red, watery eyes
• There may be loss of appetite, and sometimes, nausea and some vomiting.

Flu is much more likely to last for at least a week and has more severe symptoms, including:^3,4

• a high fever.
• a dry sensation in the nose and throat
• chills and sweats
• muscle aches, especially in the back, arms and legs
• cough
• headaches.

Most colds and flus will get better without any medical treatment, See the doctor if the child or adult:^1,2

• Refuses to drink water or other fluids
• Vomits frequently
• Complains of intense headache, ear-ache or facial-ache
• Is pale and sleepy
• Is having difficulty breathing
• Has a persistent cough
• Coughs up rusty coloured or blood-stained phlegm
• Has a high fever that does not respond to antipyretics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Shows no improvement in 48 hours
• Shows any other signs that you are worried about.