The symptoms quickly become more severe than those of a cold. The fever typically begins to subside on the second or third day, and then respiratory symptoms like nasal congestion and sore throat appear. Fatigue and weakness may continue for days or even weeks. Flu rarely causes stomach upset. Cold and flu-like symptoms can sometimes mimic more serious illnesses like strep throat, measles, and chicken pox.
Allergies too can resemble colds with their runny noses, sneezing, and general miserable feeling.
If symptoms persist, become severe or localized in the throat, stomach or lungs, or if other symptoms such as vomiting and behavioral changes occur, consult your physician. It's not usually necessary to consult your physician with the typical symptoms right away. While there is no proven cure for colds or flu, there are some things you can do to help minimize the symptoms. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and they should be used only for bacterial complications such as sinus or ear infections. Overuse of antibiotics has become a very serious problem, leading to a resistance in disease-causing bacteria that may render antibiotics ineffective for certain conditions.