Get cold and flu treatment online from a licensed doctor without leaving your home. Most people with a cold or the flu recover on their own. Your doctor will review your symptoms and tell you whether home care is enough or if you need a prescription.
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You can connect with a licensed doctor online within minutes, at any hour of the day.
Create your account, then start a visit by chat, phone, or video. Share when your symptoms started, whether you have a fever, and whether you are pregnant or have a health condition such as asthma or diabetes.
A licensed doctor asks how fast your symptoms started and how sick you feel. Your doctor also checks your risk of complications.
If you need a prescription, your doctor sends it to your pharmacy. Your treatment plan also explains home care and which signs mean you need in-person care. If you need time off, your doctor can give you a doctor's note for work.
Most colds and mild flu cases improve with home care and over-the-counter medicines. Treatment helps relieve symptoms while your body fights the virus.
Stay home until your symptoms improve and you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. Talk to a doctor online or in person if symptoms worsen or you have trouble breathing.
Based on your symptoms, how long you've been sick, your age, and your health, our doctors can send an online prescription for the following medications:
Influenza treatment with an antiviral works best when started within 48 hours of your first symptoms, and it may still help later if you're seriously ill. The CDC recommends three flu antivirals, each taken as prescribed by your doctor:
The CDC recommends prompt antiviral treatment for people at higher risk of complications, including adults aged 65 and older, children under 5, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems.
The same antivirals treat influenza A and B, and most people can manage the flu at home with rest, fluids, and symptom relief. Read our guide to influenza treatment at home for more.
A cold usually develops gradually and mainly affects the nose and throat, while the flu often starts suddenly and causes more intense body aches and fatigue. Here's how they compare, based on the CDC's cold versus flu table:
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Gradual | Sudden |
| Fever | Rare | Common, often lasting 3 to 4 days |
| Body aches and chills | Mild or uncommon | Common, sometimes severe |
| Tiredness | Sometimes | Common |
| Sneezing and a stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Usually mild | Often more severe |
| Headache | Uncommon | Common |
Because cold and flu symptoms overlap, a test may be needed to confirm a flu diagnosis.
Colds and flu are caused by different viruses: more than 200 viruses can cause a cold, with rhinoviruses the most common, while influenza A and B viruses cause most seasonal flu. Both illnesses spread mainly through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks near others.
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Most colds and flu get better on their own, but complications such as pneumonia can occur. Book an online visit if:
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you or your child has any of these emergency warning signs:
Talk to a licensed doctor online about your cold or flu symptoms, at any hour of the day.
In the US: Talk to a doctor
In Canada: Talk to a Canadian doctor online
