[25M] Experiencing cough, sore throat, and chills

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, here are a few possibilities:

• Common Cold: This is a viral infection of your nose and throat. It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold. Symptoms might include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches or a mild headache, sneezing, low-grade fever, and generally feeling unwell (malaise).

  • There's no cure for a common cold, but symptoms can be relieved with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter cold remedies.

• Influenza (Flu): This is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms can include fever over 100.4 F (38 C), aching muscles, chills and sweats, headache, dry, persistent cough, fatigue and weakness, nasal congestion, and sore throat.

  • Antiviral drugs can be used to treat the flu, but they are not a substitute for annual flu vaccination.

• Strep Throat: This is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats. Symptoms can include a throat pain that usually comes on quickly, painful swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus, tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate), fever, headache, rash, nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children, body aches, and fatigue.

  • Treatment of strep throat involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.

What you can do

• Rest and hydrate: Make sure to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of fluids. This can help your body recover faster.
• Over-the-counter remedies: Over-the-counter cold remedies can help alleviate symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, body aches, and a sore throat.
• Warm liquids: Warm liquids such as tea or soup can soothe a sore throat and alleviate congestion.

What you should look out for

• If your symptoms persist for more than a week, you should seek medical attention.
• If you develop a high fever (over 100.4°F), have trouble breathing, or if your symptoms significantly worsen, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate and helpful health information, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations.