Getting a little cold is fairly commonplace during the colder winter months, and it doesn’t usually require much treatment other than rest and chicken noodle soup. The flu, however, is a more serious issue, and although this virus usually requires antibiotics to kick, it can be quite difficult to tell the two apart. Here are a few smart ways to tell if you have a cold or the flu—and maybe even help you to catch it early on. (Remember to seek the professional advice of your physician!)

1. A cold usually comes with a sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes even a cough in the fourth or fifth days. These symptoms are usually fairly mild and cause more discomfort than pain and misery. If it is a cold, these symptoms will last for about a week.
2. The flu, on the other hand, comes with similar but more severe symptoms very early on. Your throat will be sore, your head and other muscles will ache, and you’ll likely have congestion and a cough. These symptoms could last for one week or longer, but they can turn into pneumonia if left untreated.
3. While an everyday cold doesn’t usually come with a fever, the flu often does. If your temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher, you're likely looking at a case of the flu.

Is It a Cold or The Flu? [NIAID]
Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center [Web MD]
The Common Cold vs. The Flu… What You Need To Know [Health.com]

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From the moment you walk through the large glass doors and into the immaculately decorated, modern industrial-style salon, you’ll likely fall in love with Ritual Salon + Spa. This full-service Rosedale beauty shop specializes in all of the most current hairstyling services, from cutting that elongated bob to giving customers the perfect ombré color. Ritual is separated into a number of different areas, including a comfortable waiting area with eclectic throw pillows and hair product displays, a media bar, and comfortable styling stations surrounded by unique light fixtures.

Services include not only haircuts and coloring services, but also more intricate beauty treatments like eyelash extensions, brow tinting, and hair extensions. Ritual even provides full spa treatments such as massages, nail care, and facials. Pop in to treat yourself to a trim, or spend a full day being pampered!

Ritual Salon + Spa
4800 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 391-0010
www.ritualsalonaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ritual-salon-spa-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Droid Gingerbread

A cutting edge city like Austin has much to offer to its visitors, and it even boasts the unofficial slogan, "Keep Austin Weird." Visit these thought-provoking attractions and see how Austin even takes a unique approach to something as basic as a day at the museum!

Bullock Texas State History Museum
Discover the tale of Texas at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Located a few blocks from the Texas State Capitol building, this museum showcases the pride and history of the Lone Star State. You'll be captivated from the moment you're greeted by the 35-foot-tall bronze star sculpture that sits at the entrance to the museum. The cutting-edge Texas Spirit IMAX Theater will keep you on the edge of your seat, as it shows educational films that showcase state-of-the-art special effects. Be sure to check the museum's calendar for upcoming special events, which are sure to excite and amaze.

Museum of the Weird
Austin is openly proud to be unique, and this is very apparent at the Museum of the Weird. The museum is located right on Sixth Street in the heart of the city, and visitors can see strange and unusual items on a tour through some of the oddest pieces of recent history. Creep through twisted hallways, passing wax statues and giant movie monsters. You never know what will pop up next, and this museum will have your mouth on the ground and your brain in a tizzy. After your tour is over, be sure to stop by the gift shop and pick up a souvenir to commemorate this truly weird trip.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Alexis Fam Photography