Collin County residents are bracing for the annual onslaught of coughs, sore throats, and sniffles, but figuring out *what* is making you sick isn’t always easy. Is it allergies? A cold? The flu? Or could it be COVID-19?
Decoding Your Symptoms This Season
Knowing when to hunker down, when to test, and when to seek medical attention can make all the difference.
- Flu and COVID-19 share similar symptoms with colds and allergies, making early diagnosis crucial.
- Antiviral medications for flu are most effective when started within a couple of days of symptom onset, while COVID-19 treatments have a five-day window.
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher, recent exposure, or symptoms beyond typical allergies warrant testing.
- Severe symptoms like high fever with mental status changes or shortness of breath require immediate emergency care.
Because the flu, COVID-19, the common cold, and seasonal allergies can all present with overlapping symptoms, it’s tempting to simply wait and see if things improve. However, Jeremy Brown, DO, MS, a family medicine physician on the medical staff at a local medical center, stresses the importance of a quick diagnosis.
“If you’re flu positive, you only have a couple of days to start using a prescription anti-viral medication to help treat symptoms and expedite your recovery,” he says. “And with COVID, we only have a five-day window to initiate medication therapy that will hopefully keep it from progressing and reduce the risk of complications.”
Dr. Brown recommends anyone experiencing symptoms—especially those with a fever of 100.4°F or higher, known exposure to someone with the flu or COVID-19, recent travel in crowded spaces like airplanes, or any reason to suspect something more than allergies—visit their primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or pick up a test at a local pharmacy.
What should prompt an immediate trip to the emergency room? Patients with a high fever (greater than 103°F) accompanied by a change in mental status, or those experiencing shortness of breath at rest or during exertion should seek immediate care. A significant drop in blood oxygen saturation from a patient’s baseline level also warrants a trip to the ER.
Protecting Your Community
“Part of why testing is also important is to determine whether it’s some type of viral infection that’s contagious or allergies that are not,” Dr. Brown explains.
If a viral infection is confirmed, he advises isolating as much as possible. “If a patient has a fever, the rule I tell my patients is to make sure they’re fever-free for 24 hours without using medication.” This guideline generally applies to other viral symptoms as well.
While the flu vaccine doesn’t guarantee you’ll avoid illness, Dr. Brown emphasizes its continued value. “Some people either can’t get vaccinated due to certain conditions or have weaker immune systems, so getting vaccinated can help protect others as well.”
Boosting Your Defenses
If you’re starting to feel under the weather or are around others who are sick, prioritize healthy habits. Staying hydrated, eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, and prioritizing rest are all important.
“I also often recommend taking an immune booster — vitamin C or D, zinc or B12,” Dr. Brown adds. He stresses the importance of discussing any new supplements or vitamins with your doctor first.
