If you’ve ever had the flu you probably remember it, but not fondly. The flu isn’t just a “bad cold.” It tends to hit suddenly and leave you feeling wiped out for days. But what does the flu feel like, and how do you know if you’re dealing with the flu or something else? Here are some signs to help you determine if it’s the flu, and when to head to Xpress Wellness Urgent Care for testing and treatment.
The Classic Flu Symptoms
The flu usually announces itself loud and clear, with symptoms that typically come on fast and hard. Common signs of the flu include:
- Fever and chills are often the first signs of the flu, usually with higher temperatures than what you would expect from the common cold.
- Body aches and fatigue that give you that “hit by a bus” feeling from your head to your toes.
- Cough that’s typically dry but persistent.
- Sore throat that can range from mild to severe.
- Headache with constant pressure or pounding.
While these symptoms are common with other illnesses, it’s typically the all-over, knocked-down feeling that separates the flu from other viruses.
Flu, Cold, or COVID?
Because symptoms overlap between the flu, a common cold, and COVID, it’s easy to confuse them. Here are some quick comparisons:
