Other complications and conditions to consider when patients present with cold or flu symptoms include:

• Asthma that has not previously been diagnosed or appears to be poorly controlled 
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms which typically include breathlessness upon exertion, chronic productive cough, wheeze and frequent chest problems during the winter months 
• Pertussis (whooping cough) may be the culprit if a cough has lasted more than two weeks and features paroxysms (sudden attacks) of increasing severity and frequency, vomiting after coughing or the characteristic whooping sound. Those who have been in contact with someone with pertussis over the previous 14 days are at increased risk of developing
  the condition
• Lung cancer should be considered if someone has a persistent, unexplained cough for longer than three weeks, or presents with cold and flu symptoms alongside haemoptysis, chest or shoulder pain, breathlessness, weight loss, hoarseness, finger clubbing and stridor. Lung cancer is more common in smokers, COPD patients and individuals who have been exposed to asbestos
• Heart failure can present with cough associated with breathlessness, which is worse upon exertion, lying flat or waking in the morning. There may be a history of heart disease. Fatigue and fluid retention are other signs and prevalence increases with age.