Cold or Flu? How to Tell the Difference | Ask the Pharmacist with Dr. Shannon Yarosz
How can you tell if you have a cold or the flu? In this Ask the Pharmacist segment, Cedarville University helps break it down.
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Sniffles, congestion, fever, and body aches are common this time of year, but knowing whether you’re dealing with a cold or the flu can make a big difference in how you manage symptoms and when you seek care. In this sponsored Ask the Pharmacist segment, Dr. Shannon Yarosz, assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Cedarville University School of Pharmacy, shares clear, practical guidance to help viewers recognize the difference.
Dr. Yarosz explains that cold symptoms tend to come on gradually and often include congestion, a runny nose, coughing, and mild fatigue. The flu, on the other hand, usually has a sudden onset and is more likely to involve fever, chills, and body aches that can feel intense within just a few hours. Understanding how quickly symptoms appear and what they include can help you better assess what’s going on and decide your next steps.
Timestamps:
0:00 Cold and flu season overview
0:36 Key symptoms of a common cold
0:58 Hallmark flu symptoms to watch for
1:28 Gradual vs sudden symptom onset
1:59 When to seek medical care
2:33 Higher-risk age groups and conditions
The conversation also covers when it’s important to contact a healthcare provider. Dr. Yarosz highlights warning signs such as very high fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, dehydration, or symptoms that fall outside what feels normal. She also discusses why young children, older adults, and people with multiple chronic conditions may need medical care sooner.
Ask the Pharmacist connects the community with trusted expertise from Cedarville University School of Pharmacy, offering reliable answers to everyday health and medication questions.
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This Ask the Pharmacist episode features Dr. Shannon Yarosz from Cedarville University School of Pharmacy explaining how to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. Viewers learn which symptoms matter most, how quickly each illness develops, and when to seek medical care, especially for high-risk age groups and individuals with chronic conditions.