Is it a cold or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

In healthy adults, symptoms of both viruses are usually mild and include a runny nose, headache, sore throat, or a mild fever.
How can you distinguish whether you have a cold or RSV? Here are 3 signs to pay attention to:
1. You have wheezing. Wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing, is a common symptom of RSV but is less likely to occur with a mild cold. If you’re wheezing,especially if you’re having trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
2. Your symptoms worsen. Both RSV and colds typically last a week or two. However, if your symptoms worsen instead of improving over time, it’s more likely that you have RSV.
3. A healthcare professional should confirm the diagnosis. A blood test or mouth swab can confirm whether you have RSV. Your doctor may decide to perform this test if your symptoms are not improving.
RSV or a cold: Why it matters
RSV can lead to serious lung infections in some people, especially adults over 65 or those with heart, lung, or immune system issues. That’s why it’s important to monitor for serious symptoms. If your cough worsens, you have trouble breathing, or your skin appears blue or gray, seek medical help immediately. But if you are a healthy adult and have mild symptoms, you will treat a cold and RSV the same way. In both cases, you should avoid being around children, older adults, and other people who are susceptible to more severe cases or complications from these viruses.

The same self-care recommendations apply to both conditions:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol or other pain relievers) as needed.

If you have symptoms, you should protect others by frequently washing your hands, cleaning shared surfaces, and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. These guidelines apply whether you have a cold or RSV.