How does a doctor tell if you have the cold or the flu?
I have some symptoms of a flu or a cold-I can't be sure. If I go to the doctor, how will s/he be able to tell what I have? Will they run some kind of test, like urine or saliva?
Posted by 2sleepy2care
They can do a blood test or a saliva culture to see if you are brewing a bacteria or if it's viral.
Posted by dr2be
Cold and flu are both viral infections. That's why there is no 'cure' for them as a virus just needs to run their course. When you go to the doc, they take your temperature and also as a slew of questions. The flu has the same symptoms as a cold only they are much more severe. A high fever with cold symptoms and severe aches and pains are a hallmark of the flu. They can only prescribe you meds that will help you deal with the symptoms, so that's why they say to get plenty of rest to give your body a chance to heal itself.
Posted by girl afraid
He/she should be able to tell from a cursory examination and so should you - most people say if you feel well enough to get to a doctor it can't be flu.
A common cold will just be headache, sore throat, cough, runny nose etc.
The flu includes muscle aches, fever, fatigue and nausea.
If you had flu you'd know about it.
Posted by Christy SD Nurse
A blood test called a CBC can determine between a virus or a bacterial infection. Generally you do not get a fever with a cold.
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