Cold, flu or COVID-19? What to do and where to go this winter

Most winter coughs and colds get better on their own. Knowing what you have, and where to take it, saves you a wasted trip and keeps GP appointments for the people who need them.

Cold or flu?

A cold comes on gradually over a couple of days and stays mostly in your nose and throat: a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a cough. You feel rough but you can usually carry on.

Flu arrives within a few hours. A sudden high temperature, an aching body and exhaustion are the giveaways, often with a dry cough, a headache and no appetite. Flu can leave you too tired to get out of bed.

COVID-19 overlaps with both. A new, continuous cough and a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste are typical, but it can look exactly like a cold. For most people the advice below is the same whichever it is.

What helps at home

Rest, and drink enough water that your pee is light yellow or clear.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen ease a temperature and aches. Do not take paracetamol tablets together with a cold or flu remedy that already contains it.
A hot lemon and honey drink soothes a sore throat. Do not give honey to babies under 12 months.
Steam from a hot shower can ease a blocked nose. Do not let children breathe steam from a bowl of hot water: they can be scalded.
Do not give aspirin to children under 16.

Stay at home and avoid other people while you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for your usual day. With flu you are most infectious in the first five days.

How the pharmacy can help

Come in and tell us your symptoms and anything else you take. We will suggest a remedy that suits you, or tell you that you do not need one. Decongestants are not for children under 6, and decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than a week.

Some winter problems can be treated here without a GP appointment under NHS Pharmacy First: sore throat from age 5, sinusitis from 12 and earache in children aged 1 to 17. The consultation is free, and the pharmacist can supply a prescription medicine when the national criteria say it will help. If we do, the usual NHS prescription charge applies unless you get free prescriptions.

Why you probably will not need antibiotics

Antibiotics do not work on viruses, and colds, flu and most coughs are caused by viruses. They are no longer routinely used for chest infections, sore throats or ear infections in children either, because most of these clear up on their own. Taking antibiotics you do not need gives you the side effects without the benefit, and makes it more likely they will not work when you really need them.

When to contact NHS 111 or your GP

you are 65 or over, pregnant or have recently given birth, or have a weakened immune system, and have flu symptoms
you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes or a heart, lung or kidney condition, and have cold or flu symptoms
you feel short of breath, or very unwell
flu symptoms do not improve after 7 days, or a cold after 10 days
you have a high temperature for more than 3 days, or a cough for more than 3 weeks
you are worried about your baby or child, including a temperature of 38°C or higher in a baby under 3 months, or 39°C or higher at 3 to 6 months

When to call 999 or go to A&E

sudden chest pain
severe difficulty breathing: gasping, choking or unable to get words out
coughing up blood
collapsing, fainting or a first seizure
a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it

Prevention

If you are eligible, the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines lower your risk of serious illness this winter. See who can have them. Washing your hands and catching coughs in a tissue still make a difference.

Common questions

How long does a cold last?

Most adults feel better in a week or two. Young children can take longer.

Can I go to work with a cold?

If you feel well enough and do not have a high temperature, yes. Stay at home while you have a temperature or feel too unwell for your usual activities.

Sources

Last checked against these sources on 22 October 2026.