Cold, Flu & RSV

A cold, the flu (influenza) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are three different illnesses that cause cold-like symptoms.

A cold is relatively harmless and usually clears up by itself after a period of time. However, sometimes it may lead to a secondary infection such as an ear infection.
The flu is more dangerous than the common cold and can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and even death.
RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. In healthy children RSV clears up in 1 to 2 weeks, however, the infection can be severe and can cause other respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia.

What may seem like a cold, could, in fact, be the flu or RSV. It is important to know the differences between cold, flu and RSV symptoms.

Cold Symptoms	Flu Symptoms	RSV Symptoms
Low or no fever	High fever	Low-grade fever
Sometimes a headache	Always a headache	Sometimes a mild headache
Stuffy, runny nose	Clear nose	Runny nose
Sneezing	Sometimes sneezing	Sneezing
Mild, hacking cough	Cough, often becomes severe	Coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties
Slight aches and pains	Often severe aches and pains	Mild joint pains
Mild fatigue	Several weeks of fatigue	Exhaustion
Sore throat	Sometimes a sore throat	Mild sore throat, may be from coughing
Normal energy level	Extreme exhaustion	Decreased activity and irritability

When your doctor's office is closed, our Nurse Advice Line can answer your questions.

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877-647-7440 Toll-free

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24 hours, weekends and holidays

For medical emergencies ALWAYS call 9-1-1.

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