cold and flu symptoms:

what you need to know.

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Learning the difference between cold symptoms and flu symptoms can help you start the right treatment so you can recover quicker and prevent getting sick again. At the onset of either cold symptoms or flu symptoms, see an MDLIVE board-certified doctor for fast and convenient care by phone or video.

How MDLIVE visits work.

Find out how we diagnose conditions and exactly what happens during an appointment.

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Not feeling well? Get the care you need from the comfort and safety of home 24/7/365.

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Cold, flu, or COVID-19: signs & symptoms.

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Discover the symptoms that may indicate a more serious illness like the flu or COVID-19.

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COVID-19 resource center.

The COVID-19 information and resources you need. All in one convenient place.

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Cold, flu, or COVID-19: signs & symptoms.

Is it a cold, the flu, or COVID-19? Use this handy chart to check your symptoms. If you have questions about your symptoms or need to talk to a doctor, simply start a doctor visit today.

Cold (Upper respiratory infection)	Flu (Influenza)	COVID-19
Cough	Cough	Cough
Sore throat	Sore throat	Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose	Runny or stuffy nose	Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing	—	—
Post-nasal drip	—	—
Watery eyes	—	—
—	Fever or chills	Fever or chills
—	Muscle or body aches	Muscle or body aches
—	Headache	Headache
—	Fatigue	Fatigue
—	Nausea or vomiting (more common in children)	Nausea or vomiting (more common in children)
—	Diarrhea (more common in children)	Diarrhea (more common in children)
—	—	New loss of taste or smell
—	—	Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Cold (Upper respiratory infection)	Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Sneezing Post-nasal drip Watery eyes
Flu (Influenza)	Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Fever or chills Muscle or body aches Headache Fatigue Nausea or vomiting (more common in children) Diarrhea (more common in children)
COVID-19	Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Fever or chills Muscle or body aches Headache Fatigue Nausea or vomiting (more common in children) Diarrhea (more common in children) New loss of taste or smell Shortness of breath Or difficulty breathing

Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

A beginners' guide to MDLIVE doctor visits.

How appointments work

See what you can expect in a telehealth appointment and how easy it is to see a doctor.

How we diagnose

Learn more about how MDLIVE doctors can identify your symptoms and prescribe a course of treatment.

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If you’re sick but don’t want to risk picking up germs at the doctor’s office, MDLIVE is a reliable and affordable alternative to urgent care clinics, ERs, or in-person visits. Our board-certified doctors can treat more than 80 common conditions on-demand 24/7 or at a time that works for you – all from the comfort and safety of home.

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Five ways MDLIVE doctors help during cold, flu, and COVID-19 season.

Faster diagnosis and treatment

See a doctor in less time than an in-person visit to a doctor’s office, urgent care clinic, emergency room.

Experienced doctors

Our doctors have an average of 15 years of experience and can diagnose a wide range of conditions through telehealth visits, even the cold or flu.

Avoid germs and viruses

Lower your risk of contracting an illness with an MDLIVE appointment and avoid exposure to germs in an urgent care clinic or emergency room.

Convenience

Connect with a doctor by phone or video anytime, anywhere. Our doctors are available on-demand 24/7, after-hours, weekends, and holidays.

Cost savings

Many patients spend less on a telehealth appointment compared with going to the ER or an urgent care clinic. MDLIVE is included in many health plans, so you can have access to reliable, on-demand medical care.

Stay healthy with these tips from our doctors:

middle aged doctor looking directly at you on a phone screen

“Get your flu shot! For this flu season, it is especially important to follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19.”

— Dr. Maggie A. Williams, MD

“Try to exercise consistently for 30 minutes, three times a week – walk, bike, or run. You will feel better, have more focus and energy for your daily routine, and boost your immune system.”

— Dr. Scott Stroming, MD

Flu tracking & vaccine locations:

Get the latest from trusted medical sources and stay healthy with MDLIVE. Track the flu and COVID-19, find flu vaccine locations, and more!

Is the flu spreading in your state?

Click here for your weekly report from the CDC.

What's the latest on covid-19 in your area?

Discover the most recent activity near you with the CDC COVID Data Tracker.

Need to get your flu shot?

Find a location now.

COVID-19 resource center.

Whether you’re searching for the facts about COVID-19, think you have symptoms of COVID-19, or want professional advice and resources during this uncertain time, MDLIVE is here for you.

Our board-certified doctors have an average of 15 years of experience and understand the complexities involved in diagnosing and caring for COVID-19 patients. Using their advice, as well as the latest updates the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the World Health Organization, and our own clinical guidelines, we’ve compiled all of the COVID-19 information and resources you need to keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the pandemic.

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Let our doctors help you with:

Symptom relief

Isolation management

Return to work or school guidance

COVID-19 treatment1

1MDLIVE doctors can prescribe the antiviral, Paxlovid, in the treatment of COVID-19 to patients ages 18 and older when medically appropriate. MDLIVE doctors cannot prescribe Molnupiravir or other medications beyond Paxlovid in the treatment of COVID-19.

Use MDLIVE on the go with our mobile app.

Download our free app, and you can have access to care anytime on your smartphone, from anywhere in the U.S.

“Love having the option of MDLIVE when I can’t make it to the doctor or urgent care. I had the flu and coul... Read More

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