OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose. It can be hard to tell if you have the common cold or the flu.
Darcy Jones is a physician's assistant with CHI Health and she said a few symptoms set the cold and flu apart. She described in as a cold times ten. People will experience extreme symptoms like a high fever, body aches and exhaustion. Unlike a cold, the flu will hit you suddenly. "People can almost to the minute say I got sick at 5:29 p.m. yesterday, where as a cold they will say I haven't felt well for awhile, but the flu is very specific, severe symptoms," said Jones.
Jones said those symptoms don't have to be seen in person. CHI patients can virtually see a care provider. In the last few weeks Jones averages between ten and 20 virtual calls a day. After patients fill out a pre-screen check list Jones said care providers can easily evaluate a patient's condition.
Jones said if patients ever feel like they need to be seen in person, they should come on in but she will only recommend an in-person visit for rare or extreme flu like symptoms. "I just think it's those severe symptoms especially high fever, respiratory problems, I would want to have you come in to be seen," said Jones.
