Most colds improve on their own. However, if your symptoms persist for days or weeks, a cough refuses to go away, or the flu leaves you feeling completely exhausted at the worst possible time, it can be reassuring to be promptly assessed by a doctor. With same-day appointments, you can receive expert care when you need it most.
At Wimbledon Medical Service, our private GP team offers same-day appointments for colds, flu, sinusitis, and stubborn coughs, either in person at our Wimbledon Village clinic or via video from your sofa. We will tell you whether you need treatment, rest or further tests.
Cold or Flu: What's the Difference?
Colds and flu are both respiratory infections caused by viruses, but they behave quite differently. A cold comes on gradually, mainly affects your nose and throat, and while unpleasant, usually lets you carry on. Flu (influenza) arrives suddenly, often within hours, with fever, aching muscles, exhaustion and headache, and typically forces you to bed rest. As the NHS puts it, a cold makes you feel unwell, but flu makes you feel exhausted and unable to carry on as normal.
Neither is treated with antibiotics, because antibiotics do not work on viruses. Still, both can lead to complications, such as sinusitis, ear infection or a chest infection, which sometimes require treatment.
Symptoms We Can Help With
Cold symptoms
A blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild cough, headache and feeling generally run-down. Symptoms usually peak within two to three days and settle within a week.
Flu symptoms
A sudden fever of 38°C or above, body aches, exhaustion, dry cough, headache, sore throat and sometimes loss of appetite or upset stomach. Most people recover within one to two weeks, but tiredness can linger.
Signs it may be something more
A cough lasting more than three weeks, sinus pain and facial pressure that will not settle, wheezing or breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up discoloured phlegm, or a fever that keeps returning. These symptoms warrant a proper assessment: they can point to sinusitis, a chest infection, or, occasionally, something that has been overlooked.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses; flu is caused by influenza viruses that circulate each winter, typically from December to March in the UK. Both spread through coughs, sneezes and contaminated surfaces, which is why they tear through offices, schools and commuter trains.
Anyone can catch them, but flu hits harder if you are over 65, pregnant, or living with a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. People in these groups benefit most from a yearly flu vaccination, and from seeing a doctor early if flu strikes.
How We Diagnose Cold, Flu and Their Complications
Most colds and flu can be diagnosed from your symptoms and a careful examination. During your private GP consultation, your GP will take time to listen to your history and complete a thorough examination, which will include assessing your temperature, hydration, and oxygen levels, and examining your chest, ears, and throat. Other investigations can include: Throat Swab testing for flu, COVID-19 or bacterial throat infections.
[Blood tests](https://www.wimbledonmedicalservice.com/services/private-blood-tests) if fatigue or recurrent infections suggest something underlying, with most results within 24-48 hours. Same-day chest X-ray referral for a persistent cough or suspected chest infection
If you seem to get sick frequently, a broader private health check may be recommended.
Treatment Options at Wimbledon Medical Service
The right treatment depends on what we find:
Honest advice and symptom relief: for straightforward colds and flu, we will confirm nothing serious is going on and recommend the most effective way to recover, from rest and fluids to decongestants and pain relief
Antiviral medication: if suitable, these could be prescribed for higher-risk patients seen early in a flu illness
Antibiotics where they are genuinely needed: for bacterial complications such as sinusitis, tonsillitis or a chest infection, prescribed responsibly at your appointment
Fit notes and medical letters: including private sick notes for your employer when illness keeps you off work
Follow-up and referral: if symptoms persist with fast referral to ENT or respiratory specialists when needed
When to See a GP About a Cold or Flu
See a GP if your symptoms persist, suddenly worsen, or you have a high temperature that will not settle, sinus pain that persists, or a cough that keeps hanging on. Call 999 or go to A&E for severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood.
Why Choose Wimbledon Medical Service?
We are a compassionate, not-for-profit private GP practice in Wimbledon Village, and we believe good care starts with time to listen. When winter bugs strike, that means:
Same-day appointments: in clinic or by video. Unhurried consultations with an experienced GP who spends time to listen to your symptoms and complete a thorough examination.
Responsible prescribing: antibiotics when you need them, reassurance and advice if not.
Care for the whole family: from children to adults.
No membership fees: book when you are ill, alongside your NHS GP; our patient FAQs explain how it works
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a cold or the flu?
Colds build gradually and centre on your nose and throat; flu arrives suddenly with fever, aching muscles and exhaustion severe enough to stop you working. If you are unsure or in a higher-risk group, a same-day GP assessment can settle it.
How long does flu last?
Most people feel at their worst for two to three days and recover within one to two weeks, though tiredness and a cough can linger longer. If you are not clearly improving after a week, or symptoms worsen after initially getting better, see a GP.
Do antibiotics help a cold or flu?
No: colds and flu are viral, and antibiotics only work against bacteria. Antibiotics can help with bacterial complications such as sinusitis, tonsillitis, or chest infections, which is why a proper examination matters when symptoms persist or worsen.
When should I worry about a cough?
See a GP if a cough lasts more than three weeks, comes with breathlessness, wheeze or chest pain, or you cough up blood or discoloured phlegm. Persistent coughs deserve examination and sometimes a chest X-ray, in line with NHS guidance on coughs.
How long am I contagious with flu?
You are most infectious in the first three to five days of illness, and can pass flu on from about a day before symptoms start. Staying home while you have a fever protects colleagues, classmates and vulnerable family members.
Can you assess me via video to see if I have the flu?
Yes. Your GP can assess your symptoms, discuss prescriptions where appropriate and arrange a fit note, all without you leaving home. We will ask you to come in if a physical examination is needed.
Can I get a sick note for cold or flu?
Yes. If illness keeps you off work, your GP can issue a private fit note during your appointment, same-day, whether you are seen in clinic or by video.
Don't Soldier On: Get Seen Today
Most winter bugs pass, but you should not have to guess which ones will. Whether you need reassurance, treatment, a fit note or a flu jab, book a same-day appointment at Wimbledon Medical Service, or call 020 8153 4239 and we will see you today.