You wake up with a scratchy throat. By afternoon, your eyelids are heavy and your head feels congested. By evening, you notice you have a fever.

Do you have a cold or are you coming down with the flu, COVID-19 or something else? Could that lingering cough be a sign of walking pneumonia?

It can be difficult to tell respiratory illnesses apart because many share similar symptoms. Paying attention to how quickly your symptoms begin, how severe they are, and how long they last can offer clues about what may be making you sick and help you decide when and where to seek care.

“Many respiratory illnesses share the same symptoms, so it isn’t always possible to tell what you have based on symptoms alone,” said Zaid Hussain MD, family medicine physician with Endeavor Health.

“Pay attention to how quickly your symptoms develop, whether they’re getting better or worse, and how they’re affecting your breathing and daily activities. When you’re unsure, an evaluation from a doctor can help determine the cause and the right next steps.”

  1. The common cold: mild and mostly nose and throat symptoms

    Cold symptoms generally develop gradually over a day or two. They often affect your nose and throat the most and they are usually mild enough that you can continue many of your normal activities.

    • Typical symptoms: Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat, mild cough
    • Fever level: Often no fever or a low-grade fever 
    • What to expect: Most colds improve on their own with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication.

  2. The flu: sudden and intense 

    While a cold usually develops gradually, flu symptoms often come on suddenly. You may feel relatively normal in the morning and significantly worse just hours later.

    • Typical symptoms: Fever or chills, body aches, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat
    • Fever level: Typically high (100-102°F or higher), lasting 3-4 days
    • What to expect: Exhaustion can last several days, with fatigue and cough lingering longer.

  3. COVID-19: symptoms that can look like a cold or the flu

    COVID-19 can be difficult to identify based on symptoms alone because it can resemble both a cold and the flu. Testing can help distinguish COVID-19 from the flu and other respiratory infections. 

    • Typical symptoms: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell
    • Fever level: May range from no fever to high spikes
    • What to expect: Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Most mild cases improve within 1-2 weeks with home care. At-home testing or a doctor's evaluation can confirm a diagnosis and guide treatment.

  4. RSV: cold-like at first, but can affect breathing 

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often starts like a common cold, but can cause more serious respiratory illness in infants, older adults and high-risk individuals.

    • Typical symptoms: Runny nose, congestion, sneezing, persistent cough, wheezing, fever, reduced appetite
    • Fever level: Low-grade to moderate, though it may be absent in mild adult cases
    • What to expect: Mild cases resolve in 1-2 weeks with home rest and fluids. Seek medical evaluation right away if wheezing, difficulty breathing, or severe fatigue develops.

  5. Walking pneumonia: the cough that won’t go away

    “Walking pneumonia” is an informal term for a milder form of pneumonia that develops gradually while allowing you to maintain most daily activities.

    • Typical symptoms: Persistent or worsening hacking cough, low-grade fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, occasional chest tightness or shortness of breath
    • Fever level: Low-grade or absent
    • What to expect: A doctor may listen to your lungs, check your oxygen level, or order a chest X-ray to determine if bacterial or viral treatment is needed.

Choosing the right option: where to go for care

Knowing where to go for medical care saves you time and gets you the right treatment when you need it most. That said, whichever option you choose, the Endeavor Health team will make sure you get the care you need.

Primary care: Your first stop

Your primary care doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant should always be your first point of contact for non-emergencies. They know your history best and can guide your overall care. They often have same-day or next-day in-person and virtual appointments.

  • A persistent cough that won't clear
  • Mild symptoms that aren't improving after several days
  • Managing an underlying condition while sick
  • Follow-up evaluations after an illness
  • Routine health advice, prevention and annual vaccinations

Immediate care

Head to immediate care for a fast, same-day evaluation when you have urgent symptoms after hours.  Walk-ins are always welcome.

  • Worsening chest congestion or a deep, painful cough
  • Persistent fevers that are high or slow to break
  • Rapid testing for flu/COVID-19 or chest X-rays

Trust your instincts

If your symptoms are mild or you feel like you are steadily improving, resting at home may be all you need. If your symptoms are getting worse, troubling you or keeping you from resting, don’t ignore them. 

Endeavor Health physicians can evaluate your symptoms, determine what may be causing them and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Want to schedule a visit or need care now?

Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider to get help when you're sick or find an immediate care location near you for fast, same-day treatment.