Cold & Flu Treatment When to See a Doctor for a Cold or Flu 10 reasons to be evaluated by a healthcare provider By Kristina Herndon, RN Updated on August 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Sameena Zahoor, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Difficulty Breathing Fever Headache Sore Throat Cough Rash Earache Vomiting Stomach Pain Risk Factors Most people don't need to go to the doctor for a cold or flu. However, symptoms that are severe, persistent, or clear up and then return should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Seek emergency medical treatment if there is difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a severe headache. This article discusses when you should go to the doctor for a cold or flu. It explains when a cough, fever, headache, and other symptoms warrant medical attention. It also outlines who is at high risk for complications and should consult their healthcare provider. Martin Barraud / Getty Images The Differences Between Colds and Flu Difficulty Breathing Congestion from colds and flu can make breathing harder. However, difficulty breathing may warrant emergency medical attention. In children and adults, seek immediate medical treatment for difficulty breathing with any of the following: Bluish lips, fingernails, or skin Chest pain or pressure that persists Coughing up blood or bloody mucus Fast breathing or labored breathing Persistent dizziness or confusion Ribs that retract (pull in) with each inhalation (more common in small children) Severe weakness Fever Won’t Break Fevers are a normal part of the immune system's response to a virus. A low-grade fever (less than 102 F in adults and children over 2 years) helps your body fight infection. However, higher fevers may warrant medical attention if they do not come down with medication or persist for several days. Some fevers even require emergency medical attention. Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room for the following fevers: A rectal temperature above 100.4 F in children 3 months or youngerAn oral or forehead temperature of 105 F or higher in adults and children that does not come down with medication Contact your healthcare provider for the following fevers: 102.2 F or higher in children under 1 year102.2 F or higher that lasts longer than 24 hours in children under 2102.2 F or higher that lasts longer than two days in children older than 2103 F or higher in adults that does not respond to treatment or lasts longer than two daysComes and goes for longer than a week, even if not highIs accompanied by a rashResolves completely, then returns You should also contact your healthcare provider if you have a fever and have recently traveled overseas. When to See a Healthcare Provider for a Fever Headache Won’t Go Away Headaches are fairly common with colds and flu and typically resolve on their own. A headache that is severe or does not go away should be evaluated. Contact your healthcare provider for a headache that: Doesn't improve with over-the-counter medicationsGets worse over the course of 24 hoursInterferes with your ability to work or sleepIs accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or soundLasts longer than 24 hours Headaches can sometimes be a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or see immediate medical attention for a severe headache or a headache that is accompanied by the following: Confusion Extreme drowsiness Extreme sensitivity to light High fever Loss of coordination Persistent vomiting Stiff neck Trouble speaking or walking Never use aspirin to treat headaches in children under 14 due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. Consider non-aspirin alternatives such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) instead. It Hurts to Swallow Pharyngitis (sore throat) is common with both colds and flu and often resolves on its own. However, a severe sore throat may be a secondary bacterial infection or strep throat. See your healthcare provider for a sore throat that: Hurts to swallow and hinders your ability to eat or drinkInterferes with your ability to breathe while sleepingIs accompanied by a fever over 104 F or a red rash Symptoms of Sore Throat Lingering Congestion or Cough Congestion and coughs that do not show signs of improving after 10 days should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. A lingering cough and congestion can indicate a secondary infection such as sinusitis, acute bronchitis (chest cold), or pneumonia. Signs you should contact your healthcare provider for congestion and coughing include: Chest painCough that lasts longer than three weeksCoughing up blood or bloody mucusCoughing up excessive amounts of mucusDifficulty breathingA fever over 104 FPersistent fatigueShortness of breath You should also see your healthcare provider if your symptoms resolve but then return, a sign of a secondary infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children under 2 due to safety concerns and the lack of proven efficacy. Nasal Congestion Rash With a Fever See your healthcare provider if you develop a rash along with cold and flu symptoms. A rash with a fever is a symptom of more severe infections such as: MeaslesMononucleosisScarlet feverShingles Other rash symptoms that warrant a doctor's visit include a rash with the following circumstances: Appears suddenly Begins within two hours of taking antibiotics, in particular penicillins, cephalosporins, or sulfonamides BlistersCovers full body Spreads rapidly Ear Pain Doesn’t Respond to Meds Earaches are common with a cold. The pain can typically be managed with Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) and a warm compress held to the ear. Ear pain that doesn't respond to at-home treatment could be an ear infection. See your healthcare provider if you or your child has an earache with the following symptoms: DizzinessEar pain stops suddenly, with or without a pop sound (a sign of a ruptured eardrum)High feverFacial twitchingSevere ear painSevere headacheSwelling behind the earWorsening symptoms, even with treatment Can’t Keep Food Down Contact your healthcare provider if you or your child cannot keep food down. Persistent or severe vomiting with or without diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Seek medical care if vomiting persists for more than 24 hours and is accompanied by the following signs of dehydration: Dizziness High fever Rapid heartbeat Rapid breathing Difficulty breathing No urine in more than 12 hours Delirium Lightheadedness or fainting Seizures In children, seek emergency care for vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by: No urine output in eight hoursNo tears when cryingA lack of alertness when awake Severe Stomach Pain Severe and persistent stomach pain that accompanies cold and flu symptoms should be evaluated by your healthcare provider. Stomach pain is an uncommon cold and flu symptom. However, other flu-like viruses and influenza subtypes like H1N1 can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. In children, persistent abdominal pain accompanying cold and flu symptoms warrants emergency medical treatment. Though uncommon, abdominal pain is a sign of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness that can occur in children with the flu, chickenpox, and other fever-causing viral infections who receive aspirin. Reye's syndrome typically starts with severe stomach pain, vomiting, lethargy, and confusion. It can lead to seizures and death if not treated quickly and appropriately. High Risk of Complications Some people are at higher risk of severe complications and even death from influenza. Antiviral medications can reduce the risk of complications if taken within the first two days of symptoms. Risk factors for flu complications include: Ages 5 and younger, especially those under age 2Ages 65 and older AsthmaChronic kidney diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)DiabetesHeart diseaseLiver or metabolic disordersNeurologic conditions, such as strokePregnancyWeak immune system If you are in any high-risk groups, contact your healthcare provider if you have the following flu symptoms: Body achesChillsCongestionCoughExhaustion and fatigueFever or feeling feverishHeadache Flu symptoms tend to occur quickly and progressively worsen over a few hours. Summary For the most part, the common cold and influenza can be managed with at-home treatments. However, symptoms that are severe, persist, or return after resolving may require prescription medication. People who have a high risk of complications should also see their doctor if they may have the flu. You should go to the doctor for a cold that lasts longer than 10 days and fevers that last longer than two days. Headaches and earaches that are severe or do not respond to over-the-counter pain medicine should also be seen by your healthcare provider. Signs that require emergency medical care include difficulty breathing, a fever over 105 F that doesn't respond to medication, a headache with a stiff neck and fever, or loss of consciousness. In addition, children should be taken to the emergency room if they have persistent abdominal pain, vomiting with signs of dehydration, or a rectal temperature of 100.4 or high in infants. 17 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu: What to do if you get sick. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Fever. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Headache. American Academy of Family Physicians: FamilyDoctor.org. Deciding when to see a doctor. Nemours: KidsHealth.org. Reye syndrome. American Osteopathic Society. Know the warning signs when to call the doctor if your sore throat persists. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chest cold (acute bronchitis). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When to give kids medicine for coughs and colds. American Academy of Dermatology. Rash 101 in adults. American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Drug allergies. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Ear infection. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Dehydration. Nemours: KidsHealth.org. Vomiting. American Academy of Family Physicians: FamilyDoctor.org. H1N1 influenza. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Reye's syndrome information page. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key facts about influenza (flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at higher risk of flu complications. By Kristina Herndon, RN Kristina Herndon, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit