Cold & flu treatment from your couch
Whether it's a stubborn cold or a full-blown flu knocking you down, our board-certified providers diagnose your symptoms and get you the right treatment fast — no waiting room, no exposure to other sick patients.
Antiviral medications like Tamiflu are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. Don't wait — connect with a provider now while treatment is still at its most effective.
Is it a cold or the flu?
The symptoms overlap — but the treatments are very different. Getting the right diagnosis fast means the right treatment fast.
Develops gradually · Runny/stuffy nose · Mild sore throat · Mild fatigue · Rarely fever · Usually resolves in 7–10 days
Comes on suddenly · High fever · Severe body aches · Extreme fatigue · Headache · Can lead to serious complications
Variable symptoms · Loss of taste or smell · Fatigue · Cough · May be eligible for Paxlovid — must be taken within 5 days of symptom onset
Treatment for every scenario
Whether viral or bacterial, mild or severe — the providers on the platform create a personalized treatment plan that gets you feeling better as quickly as possible.
Tamiflu for flu, Paxlovid for COVID-19 — prescribed when clinically appropriate and within the effective window.
Decongestants, cough suppressants, and anti-nausea medications to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.
Written guidance on rest, hydration, nutrition, and warning signs that mean you should seek further care.
Official documentation for returning to work or school provided with every visit — no extra charge.
Cold & flu treatment online — same-day prescription
Most cold and flu cases respond to supportive care (rest, fluids, OTC symptom relief). When flu is suspected within the first 48 hours of symptom onset, antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) can shorten illness duration. The FirstCall platform connects you with an independent, board-certified physician for same-day symptom evaluation and, when clinically appropriate, a prescription sent to a pharmacy of your choice. Seniors and immunocompromised patients should seek evaluation at lower symptom thresholds because of higher complication risk.
fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, fatigue, congestion
supportive care; oseltamivir if flu confirmed within 48 hours
shortness of breath, chest pain, severe dehydration, confusion
Educational content. Last clinically reviewed by the FirstCall Clinical Editorial Board, June 2026. The FirstCall platform provides access to independent, licensed physicians; final clinical decisions rest with the prescribing physician. Call 911 for severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or signs of dehydration and confusion.
The best place to get better is your own couch.
No waiting rooms, no driving while you feel terrible. Get diagnosed from home and have your prescription at the pharmacy before you even hang up.
A board-certified physician in under 15 minutes.
Physicians on the platform diagnose cold and flu symptoms, prescribe Tamiflu and antivirals when clinically appropriate, and provide a recovery care plan — all via video.
When to seek emergency care
Frequently asked questions
Sick right now? Don't wait.
The sooner you're seen, the sooner you feel better. Connect in under 15 minutes.