• Online Scheduling | Careers

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
        • Behavioral Health
        • Cancer Care
        • Critical Care Medicine
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Digestive Health
        • Emergency Services
        • Heart Care
        • Infusion Services
        • Kidney Disorders
        • Laboratory Services
        • Men's Health
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Pain Management
        • Pediatric Care
        • Primary Care
        • Rehabilitation Services
        • Respiratory Care
        • Rheumatology
        • Spine Care
        • Stroke Care
        • Surgical Services
        • Women's Health
        • Wound Care
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • Award Nominations
              • Cafeteria Information
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Gift Shop
              • Health Library
              • Local Accommodations
              • MDSave
              • Online Scheduling
              • Patient Portal
              • Request Medical Records
              • Spiritual Care
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • Cancer Treatment Centers
                  • Family Clinics
                  • Rehabilitation Centers
                  • Other Locations
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Careers
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • Graduate Medical Education
                    • Leadership
                    • Mission, Vision & Values
                    • Newsroom
                    • One Call Number
                    • Our Community
                    • Patient Testimonials
                    • Phone Directory
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • (573) 776-2000
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Online Bill Pay
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Events
                      • Residency Program
                      • Contact
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        0 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      Home/About Us/Newsroom/How to tell the difference between cold and flu

                      Refine Results

                      About Us
                      Careers
                      Benefits
                      Hospital Opportunities
                      Nursing Opportunities
                      Available Positions
                      I'm Interested
                      Physician & Provider Opportunities
                      Community Benefits
                      Contact Us
                      Graduate Medical Education
                      Leadership
                      Mission, Vision & Values
                      Newsroom
                      E-Newsletter Sign Up
                      2024 News Releases
                      2023 News Releases
                      2022 News Releases
                      2021 News Releases
                      2020 News Releases
                      2019 News Releases
                      2018 News Releases
                      2017 News Releases
                      2016 News Releases
                      2015 News Releases
                      One Call Number
                      Our Community
                      Patient Testimonials
                      Phone Directory
                      Quality & Safety
                      ADA Accessibility Policy
                      Diversity Policy
                      Joint Commission Notice
                      Notice of Privacy Practices
                      Organized Health Care Arrangement Status
                      Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      Privacy Policy
                      Safety Improvement
                      Terms & Conditions
                      Volunteer Opportunities
                      Cardiovascular Surgery
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Orthopedic Center
                      Patients & Visitors
                      Services
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Aaron Aden, FNP, Joins Poplar Buff Medical Clinic

                        06.13.2025

                      • Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Recognized Again for Chest Pain Center and Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation

                        06.06.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Mobile Device

                        Online Scheduling

                        Free, convenient online check-in services.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      How to tell the difference between cold and flu

                      10/22/2018

                      Poplar Bluff, MO-October 22, 2018 – Colds and the flu often occur around the same time of year and both have similar, unpleasant symptoms. While it can be hard to differentiate between the two, it’s important to distinguish the cause of your symptoms to determine the best course of treatment.

                      The common cold

                      The most common symptoms of a cold are within the respiratory system and include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, cough or chest discomfort. Treatment for these symptoms is available through over-the-counter medication designed to target the various symptoms. For example:

                      • Antihistamines can help control a running nose, sneezing and watery eyes.
                      • Decongestants relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
                      • Acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines reduce pain, fever and inflammation.
                      • Expectorants loosen mucus from the respiratory tract, alleviating chest congestion and discomfort.

                      The best way to treat a cold is to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, use over-the-counter medication and monitor for symptoms that last longer than five to seven days. If symptoms persist, your cold may have developed into an advanced respiratory illness in the form of an ear infection, sinus infection or bronchitis. If this occurs, you should seek treatment from your doctor.

                      “Distinguishing between a cold and the flu can be difficult because many of the symptoms overlap,” said Dr. Emil Fernando, an internal ,edicine physician. “Fever severity and duration are one of the most common differentiators, although not everyone with flu will have a fever. Getting to your doctor for testing within a few days of experiencing symptoms can help, as there are medications that can minimize the symptoms of flu when action is taken quickly.”

                      The flu

                      While both a cold and the flu generally attack the respiratory system producing many or all of the same symptoms, flu can affect the entire body. Additional symptoms associated with flu include a fever between 100 F and 104 F, headache, body aches, fatigue, exhaustion, nausea and diarrhea.

                      To confirm a diagnosis of flu, your doctor will swab your nose or throat to test for the virus. Test results are usually available within 30 minutes. For the most accurate results, the test should be performed within three to four days of onset of symptoms. The tests are fairly accurate, and can give a positive diagnosis about 50-70 percent of the time. If the test indicates you don’t have the flu, it’s even more accurate, at a 90-95 percent rate.

                      With a mild case, flu can be treated with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medication targeting the symptoms. If your case of flu is more severe, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications. Anti-nausea medications help with stomach discomfort and vomiting while acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines reduce pain, fever and inflammation. Antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu® or Relenza, shorten the duration of the flu and lessen the serious complications; however, antiviral medications work best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick. These medications are particularly important for children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses who are particularly vulnerable to catching and experiencing complications from the flu.

                      As with a cold, if symptoms persist longer than three to five days, or become increasingly severe, see your doctor. The flu can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in patients who are older or have compromised immune systems, and may require more intense medical treatment or even hospitalization.

                      “Flu can be particularly dangerous for infants, pregnant women, older persons or anyone with chronic medical conditions, so they need to be evaluated quickly to be considered for antiviral medication,” said Fernando. “Preventive measures such as getting a flu shot for everyone in the household, washing your hands and staying home when you are ill will help to reduce the spread of flu.”

                      The best way to avoid contracting the flu is to get an annual flu shot. Unfortunately, there is no immunization against the cold, but washing your hands frequently, not touching your face with your hands, and avoiding contact with people who have a cold can be a strong defense.

                      For more information on the flu, visit the special flu section at www.poplarbluffregional.com. To find a primary care doctor visit the “Find a Doctor” link on the home page or call (855) 444-PBRMC. Back

                      Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center

                      • 3100 Oak Grove Rd
                      • Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
                      • P: (573) 776-2000

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
                      • Behavioral Health
                      • Cancer Care
                      • Critical Care Medicine
                      • Diagnostic Imaging
                      • Digestive Health
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Heart Care
                      • Infusion Services
                      • Kidney Disorders
                      • Laboratory Services
                      • Men's Health
                      • Orthopedic Services
                      • Pain Management
                      • Pediatric Care
                      • Primary Care
                      • Rehabilitation Services
                      • Respiratory Care
                      • Rheumatology
                      • Spine Care
                      • Stroke Care
                      • Surgical Services
                      • Women's Health
                      • Wound Care

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • Award Nominations
                      • Cafeteria Information
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Gift Shop
                      • Health Library
                      • Local Accommodations
                      • MDSave
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Request Medical Records
                      • Spiritual Care

                      About Us

                      • Careers
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • Graduate Medical Education
                      • Leadership
                      • Mission, Vision & Values
                      • Newsroom
                      • One Call Number
                      • Our Community
                      • Patient Testimonials
                      • Phone Directory
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...