Flu, COVID, RSV, or Allergies? How to Tell the Difference

During flu season in South Texas, many patients visit urgent care with similar symptoms and ask the same question: is this the flu, COVID, RSV, or just allergies? Because these conditions can overlap, it can be difficult to know when testing or medical evaluation is needed.

Understanding the differences can help you decide when to seek care and how to protect others around you.

Why These Illnesses Are Easy to Confuse

Flu, COVID, RSV, and seasonal allergies often share symptoms such as congestion, cough, fatigue, and headaches. However, each condition has key differences in how symptoms appear, how long they last, and who is at higher risk for complications.

Testing and evaluation at urgent care can help provide clarity when symptoms are unclear.

Common Symptoms by Condition

Flu

• Sudden onset of fever and chills

• Body aches and muscle pain

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Dry cough

• Sore throat

Flu symptoms often feel more intense and appear quickly.

COVID

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Loss of taste or smell in some patients

COVID symptoms can range from mild to severe and may last longer than the flu.

RSV

• Runny nose

• Decreased appetite

• Cough or wheezing

• Fever

RSV is more common in infants and young children but can also affect older adults and patients with chronic conditions.

Seasonal Allergies

• Sneezing

• Runny or itchy nose

• Watery or itchy eyes

• Postnasal drip

Allergies do not cause fever or body aches and tend to persist as long as allergen exposure continues.

When Testing Is Recommended

Because symptoms overlap, testing may be recommended if you have:

• Fever with respiratory symptoms

• Worsening symptoms over several days

• Recent exposure to someone who is sick

• High-risk medical conditions

At urgent care, providers can determine whether flu, COVID, or RSV testing is appropriate based on your symptoms and risk factors.

When to Visit Urgent Care

You should consider visiting urgent care if you are experiencing:

• Fever lasting more than 48 hours

• Persistent cough or chest discomfort

• Shortness of breath

• Severe fatigue or weakness

• Symptoms that interfere with daily activities

Urgent care clinics can provide same-day evaluation, testing, and treatment recommendations.

Why Choose StatCare Urgent Care

StatCare Urgent Care offers walk-in visits, extended hours, and on-site testing to help diagnose common illnesses during flu season. Our team helps patients understand their symptoms and receive appropriate treatment without long emergency room wait times.

Learn more about services and locations by visiting www.mystatcare.com.

Get Answers and Get Back to Feeling Better

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by the flu, COVID, RSV, or allergies, early evaluation can help prevent complications and reduce the spread of illness.

Visit your nearest StatCare Urgent Care location for same-day evaluation and testing. Walk-ins are welcome.