Symptom onset is one of the best ways to tell if you have a cold or the flu. Cold symptoms are typically milder and develop slowly, while flu symptoms come on rapidly and are more severe. However, both conditions share many of the same symptoms, including a sore throat, cough, yellow or green phlegm, or a stuffy nose.

Because of these similarities, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider early on to get the right diagnosis and treatment. During your Sesame video visit, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and exposure to help diagnose if you have a cold, the flu, or another respiratory illness like COVID and recommend the best treatment.

The flu and COVID-19 share many of the same symptoms, including body aches, chills, cough, fever, headaches, fatigue and a sore throat. Because of this, the best way to know if you have the flu or COVID is to get tested. You can get tested at your doctor’s office, many local pharmacies, or an urgent care clinic. Most pharmacies also sell COVID-19 rapid tests.

If you don’t have a test readily accessible, or if you’re waiting to get seen at the doctor, there are also a few other factors that may help you identify if you have COVID or the flu, though these will not always be as accurate as a test:

• Loss of taste and smell: Loss of taste and smell is very rare in flu patients, but nearly 60% of COVID-19 patients in 2021 reported temporarily losing their taste and smell.
• Symptom duration: It can take between 2 to 19 days for COVID-19 symptoms to appear, while flu symptoms hit fast and usually take between 1 to 3 days to appear after exposure to the virus.
• Illness duration: For most people, flu symptoms last from 3-7 days, and they may feel tired or slightly under the weather for another week or so. On the other hand, COVID-19 symptoms tend to last for about 10 days, and some people report that their symptoms persist for months (long COVID).

The common cold incubation period is usually around 3 days, though it can vary from person to person. During this time, cold symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue start to set in.

After the incubation state, you’ll likely experience cold symptoms for another 3 or 4 days (this is known as the symptomatic stage). And by the 7th or 8th day, most people are feeling better, though symptoms may linger for a week or so before finally resolving.

If you find that your symptoms are not improving at all after 10 days, or if they worsen significantly, talk to your healthcare provider. Prolonged or persistent symptoms can be a sign of a bacterial infection or another condition.

The flu lasts about a week for most people, but symptoms like fatigue often persist for a week or two afterward. Here’s what a typical flu timeline can look like:

• Day 0-2: Symptoms like fever, cough, congestion, chills and body aches appear suddenly.
• Day 3 - 7: Flu symptoms are the most severe. However, your immune system has usually started to clear the influenza virus from your body toward the end of this period
• Day 8 - onward: By the end of the week, most people are beginning to feel better, but some symptoms can linger while your body continues to recover.

If your symptoms last longer than a week or start to get worse, talk to a healthcare provider so you can get to the bottom of your illness.

Yes, virtual doctors – and any other medical providers who are licensed to prescribe medication, such as NPs, DOs and PAs – can prescribe Tamiflu (oseltamivir) if it’s medically appropriate.

If your Sesame provider prescribes Tamiflu during your visit, any prescription the clinician deems necessary can be sent to your preferred pharmacy for pickup.

Along with proper rest and hydration, prescription antiviral medications like Tamiflu, Xofluza, and Relenza can help reduce flu symptoms and shorten the period of time that you’re sick for.

However, these medications work best when taken within 24–48 hours of the onset of symptoms, so it’s important to contact a healthcare provider promptly if you start feeling unwell.

Beyond prescription antiviral medications, you can also try over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever, headache, and body aches. Always follow package directions and ask a provider or pharmacist if you’re unsure what’s safe for you.

When managing common cold or flu symptoms at home, several OTC medications can help relieve discomfort. Here are the best over-the-counter cold and flu medicines based on your symptoms:

For congestion, runny nose, or sinus pressure:

• OTC decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help reduce nasal stuffiness by loosening mucus; however, those with high blood pressure or other cardiovascular concerns should avoid using this medicine
• Nasal sprays (OTC options) can also provide short-term congestion relief
• OTC antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or doxylamine (NyQuil) may help with sneezing and a runny nose

For fever, body aches, and headaches:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce fever and general aches
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help with inflammation, pain, and fever

For coughs:

• OTC cough medicines like Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) can help reduce coughing
• Expectorants like Guaifenesin (Mucinex)can also help coughs by loosening and thinning mucus so that it’s easier to clear from airways

For sore throats:

• OTC throat sprays and cough drops or lozenges can provide temporary soothing relief

If symptoms worsen, persist beyond a week, or include high fever or breathing issues, seek medical care.

To help manage cold and flu symptoms at home, you can try the following self-care strategies:

• Drink plenty of fluids: Stay hydrated with water, fruit juice, and broth. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can dry you out.
• Get adequate rest: Allow your body time to recover by resting, avoiding strenuous activity, and limiting social contact until symptoms improve.
• Use a humidifier: A cool-air humidifier can help relieve coughing and loosen mucus by adding moisture to the air.
• Consider supplements: Vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea may help support your immune system during recovery.

No. Sesame does not accept insurance to keep prices low and transparent – the upfront price you see next to your provider’s name is the price you pay!

However, you can pay for your online visit using your Health Savings Account (HSA) card or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card if you have one.

If you do have insurance and are prescribed medication during your appointment, your prescription may be covered depending on your plan.

You will also receive a prescription savings card from Sesame if medication is prescribed. The prescription savings card is often cheaper than a co-pay on your prescription, so we recommend comparing your insurance co-pay to the savings card price before filling your prescription.