Know Your Symptoms: Cold vs Flu

By Kirstin Reed

Flu activity is widespread from September to May. We recently gave you tips on how to prevent the flu, but if you’re feeling under the weather, how can you tell if you have the flu or a cold?

People with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days but most healthy adults may be contagious beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

If you have flu-like symptoms:

Visit your primary care provider (PCP). If you don’t have a PCP, find one on LVHN.org or call 888-402-LVHN (5846).
Visit any of our ExpressCARE locations. They are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, and no appointment is necessary.
Schedule an LVHN Video Visit and get care from an LVHN provider from the comfort of your own home.
Don’t go to work or expose yourself to at-risk groups.

Getting a flu shot and practicing frequent and proper handwashing is your best defense against the flu. If you have a confirmed case of the flu, you should stay home to prevent spreading it. For health care professionals, it is especially important that you don’t go to work or expose yourself to high-risk groups when you have the flu.