Cold and flu symptoms: when testing or GP advice can help
Cold and flu can both cause coughs, sore throat, fever and tiredness, but flu often comes on more suddenly and can feel more intense. Learn what to watch for, when testing may help, and when to speak to a GP.
Most colds and flu-like illnesses are caused by viruses, so antibiotics do not usually help. Testing can be useful when you need more certainty about flu-like symptoms, symptoms are not following the expected pattern, or the result may change the next step.
DocTap respiratory testing can check for flu A, flu B and RSV, a common winter breathing virus. Book a GP appointment first if symptoms are severe, prolonged, getting worse, or hard to explain.
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Symptoms, causes and treatment
Cold and flu: what you need to know
Symptoms and causes
Colds and flu can both cause a cough, sore throat, fever and tiredness, but they usually feel different.
A cold usually builds gradually over a day or two and mainly affects the nose and throat. A blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, hoarse voice, cough and feeling generally run down are common.
Flu tends to come on quickly, often within a few hours. It is more likely to cause a high temperature, chills, body aches, headache, dry cough, sore throat and exhaustion. Many people with flu feel too unwell to work or carry on as normal.
Both colds and flu are caused by viruses, so antibiotics will not help. RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus, is another common winter virus. In many adults it feels like a cold, but it can be more serious for babies, older adults and people with heart, lung or immune conditions.
Diagnosis, tests and appointment options
Most people do not need a test for a simple cold. Testing is more useful when symptoms feel flu-like, you need a clearer answer quickly, you live with someone vulnerable, or you are higher risk and need to know whether flu is likely.
DocTap's respiratory panel is a nasal swab that checks for flu A, flu B and RSV in one test. Results are usually available in about an hour at clinics with on-site labs.
Appointment options that may help:
- Respiratory panel: checks flu A, flu B and RSV from one nasal swab.
- GP consultation: best if symptoms are severe, unclear, getting worse, or you are higher risk. If your GP recommends tests, they cost extra and your results will follow after your visit.
See tests and prices on the cold, flu, sore throat and chest infection testing page.
Treatment, GP advice and urgent symptoms
Colds and flu usually get better on their own. Rest, fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofen if suitable, and symptom relief can help while your body clears the infection. A pharmacist can advise on cold and flu medicines that are safe for you.
Antibiotics only work against bacteria. They will not make a cold or flu better faster and can cause side effects when used unnecessarily. Sometimes a viral illness can lead to a bacterial complication, such as a chest or ear infection; a GP can examine you and decide whether treatment is needed.
Book a GP if symptoms have not improved after a week, you started to feel better and then got worse, your temperature will not come down, you have chest pain or breathlessness, or you are higher risk. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, sudden chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, a seizure, or if you feel seriously unwell.
If you are not sure what you need, book a GP consultation. A DocTap GP can examine you, advise whether testing is needed, and discuss treatment or next steps.