We all know that being stuck inside during the winter months with your family leads to one thing – getting sick. Whether it’s one person or wiping out the whole family, illnesses like colds, influenza (flu), RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), bronchitis, and pneumonia can look similar: cough, fever, congestion, fatigue.

Here are a few tips that can help you look for which illness is taking you out for the count this winter and help you decide whether you need something more serious.

Common Cold

What is it? Your nose and throat are infected. Your ears may also be infected.
How I feel: Yucky. You’re probably experiencing a runny nose, scratchy throat, fatigue, chills, low-grade fever, and aches. And most likely, you are sneezing and coughing.
What should I do? As you probably know, there’s no cure for the common cold. Decongestants, cough drops, and antihistamines can help with the symptoms and rest and liquids may speed your recovery.
How long will it last? Anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
See a doctor if: Symptoms linger beyond a few days or get worse, or if new symptoms develop.

Flu

What is it? Your upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, and upper airways) is infected.
How I feel: Probably terrible. You’re exhausted, and you may have a fever, headache, and body aches. You’re also probably sneezing and coughing, which means your throat is probably sore.?
What to do?Rest, fluids, and medicines can relive symptoms. In severe cases, or for individuals at high risk for complications, antiviral medications may be prescribed.
How long will it last? The worst of it is often over in three to five days. The coughing and general fatigue can linger two weeks or more.
See a doctor if: Symptoms get worse, especially if it’s a worsening cough after the first week. Or if you have a condition or situation that makes you vulnerable to flu complications.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is it? A viral infection that can lead to inflammation of the respiratory tract and lungs. In children younger than 1 year, RSV is the most common respiratory cause for hospital admissions. Infants are the most at risk of severe RSV, as well as children, older adults, and people with heart and/or lung problems.
How long will it last? Most children and adults with RSV will recover in one to two weeks.
How will my child feel? They will probably feel like they have a cold. They may experience a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, a low fever, and a decreased appetite.
How should I care for my child? Just provide general supportive care. Ensure your child gets enough rest and drinks plenty of fluids. Monitor their breathing and if needed, provide them with over-the-counter children’s acetaminophen to ease the symptoms. RSV vaccines approved by the FDA are available for children under the age of 2.
See a doctor if: Your child experiences a high fever, a bad cough, wheezing, labored breathing and/or decreased appetite.

Pneumonia

What is it? Your lungs are infected, causing air sacs to fill with pus and other liquids.
How I feel: Symptom severity ranges from mild to life-threatening and can include fever, confusion, a mucus-producing cough, heavy sweating, shaking chills, lack of appetite, rapid breathing and pulse, shortness of breath, and stabbing pain in the chest that’s worse with coughing or deep breathing.
What to do? Rest, eat well, and drink plenty of fluids. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. In both cases, medications can ease your cough and fever.
How long will it last? Most people respond well to treatment and recover in one to three weeks, but pneumonia can be very serious and even deadly.
See a doctor if: Your cough gets worse or doesn’t improve, you cough up pus, you have a persistent fever that is higher than 102 degrees, you have shaking chills, or breathing makes your chest hurt. Don’t delay seeing a doctor if you have underlying health conditions.

Acute Bronchitis

What is it? Inflamed bronchi (the big tubes that bring air to the lungs) result in too much mucus.
How I feel: Like you can’t stop coughing. You probably started with a dry cough that soon became wet and mucus-producing. You may also have aches, pains, chills, a headache, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, watery eyes, and wheezing.
What should I do?Not much, honestly. It will clear up on it’s own unless it progresses to pneumonia, which can be treated with antibiotics. Meanwhile, a humidifier, cough medicine, and pain relievers can ease symptoms.
How long will it last? About two weeks for most of the symptoms. Though the cough can linger for a couple of months.
See a doctor if: Symptoms don’t improve, or if they get worse.