Signs It Could Be More Than a Cold

When you have a cold, symptoms like a stuffy nose or sneezing start slowly and gradually get worse. Flu symptoms typically hit your body all of a sudden -- and they'll probably feel a lot stronger.

This is when you shiver because your body temperature changes. Chills aren’t typical signs of a cold -- they’re an early sign of infection and high fever. They're more common with flu or pneumonia.

This is a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection, but it's rarely caused by a cold. Flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia are more common causes of fevers. You are considered to have a fever when your temperature reaches 100.5 F.

You may have some slight body aches with a cold, but stronger ones are usually a sign that you have the flu. This is because short-term achy muscles often happen along with a fever.

This is when your breathing sounds like a whistle. If you wheeze, it’s a sign of a more serious infection like pneumonia or bronchitis, especially if it happens when you lie down. Wheezing also can be a sign of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction to something you ate or an insect bite.

You may have a mild, pesky cough from a cold, but if you cough up mucus -- slimy stuff from deep down in your chest -- it can be a sign of bronchitis or pneumonia, especially if there's blood in it.

Feeling like you have no energy or appetite is a typical symptom of the flu -- it’s less often caused by a cold. It can also be a sign of pneumonia or a sinus infection, which is common but more serious than a cold.

A mild one is a typical symptom of a cold and sometimes the flu. It should clear up once your cold or flu does. But a very painful sore throat that comes on quickly can be a sign of strep throat. That’s a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.    

Many things can cause this, but a cold isn't usually one of them. It's a common flu symptom and can be a sign of a sinus infection. But painful sinuses, the spaces above and around your nose, can also be caused by hay fever, or rhinitis.

This is a telltale symptom of a more serious respiratory infection, like bronchitis. That can also make your chest feel tight, and you may have a hard time taking a deep breath. Sharp chest pain that feels worse when you cough can be a sign of pneumonia, and chest tightness is also a common symptom of asthma. Get medical help right away for any chest pain or pressure. It can also be the sign of life threatening conditions such as a heart attack or a blood clot in the lung.

Colds can cause a very stuffy nose, which make breathing a little harder, but real shortness of breath is a sign of something more serious. It's a common symptom of asthma or a flare-up of COPD, and it also can be from a serious infection, like bronchitis or pneumonia. 

If you feel pressure in your ears, it may mean you have a sinus infection. That also causes pain and pressure around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead that gets worse when you bend over. And if you feel fullness in one ear, it may be a symptom of an ear infection.

Flu symptoms may be bad, but they usually get better within a few days. A cold can last up to 10 days. But pneumonia symptoms can stick around up to a month or longer. And bronchitis can last several months in some cases. Call your doctor right away for any new or worsening symptom so that the right diagnosis can be made and you can get the right treatment.