Cold and Flu Symptom Log

A structured diary to track symptom severity, frequency, and triggers. Designed for adults seeking to understand their illness patterns, prepare for doctor visits, and communicate symptoms clearly. Runs 100% offline in your browser.

Educational only, not medical advice. Seek professional care for severe symptoms.

Log a New Entry

Why Track Symptoms?

Logging symptoms systematically helps you identify patterns (e.g., worsening evenings, triggers), communicate more effectively with healthcare providers, and decide when to seek care. A written record is more reliable than memory when you're feeling unwell.

How to Use This Log

Record consistently: Log each time you notice a significant change or at regular intervals (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening).
Be specific in notes: Note what you tried for relief (medication, rest, fluids) and any possible triggers (activity, exposure).
Review the summary before your appointment. The summary highlights frequency and severity trends.
Use the "Copy Summary" button to generate a text report you can paste into your patient portal or bring to your visit.

Example Entries

Date/Time	Symptom	Severity	Notes
Day 1, 8:00 AM	Sore Throat	4/10	Woke up with scratchy throat. Drank warm tea.
Day 1, 2:00 PM	Fatigue	6/10	Felt very tired after lunch. Took a 1-hour nap.
Day 2, 9:00 AM	Cough	5/10	Dry cough started. Used cough drops.

Common Symptom Durations (Typical Cold & Flu)

Symptom	Typical Duration (Cold)	Typical Duration (Flu)	When to Seek Care*
Fever	Rare or mild	3-4 days	>103°F (39.4°C) or >3 days
Cough	1-2 weeks	1-2 weeks	Severe, bloody, or >2 weeks
Body Aches	Mild	2-5 days	Severe, localized
Fatigue	A few days	Up to 2 weeks	Debilitating, >2 weeks

*Always consult a clinician for personalized advice.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Check any symptoms below that apply. This checklist helps you prepare for a discussion with a clinician.

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Chest pain or pressure

Confusion or inability to stay awake

Severe dehydration (no urine >12h, dry mouth)

Fever >103°F (39.4°C) or lasting >3 days

Symptoms improving then suddenly worsening

Summary for Clinician Discussion:

No urgent red flags checked. Always discuss any concerns with a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this log?

The log reflects your self-reported inputs. Accuracy depends on consistent, honest tracking. It does not diagnose illness but organizes your observations.

What's the best way to measure symptom severity?

Use a consistent scale: 0=no symptom, 5=moderate (interferes with some activities), 10=severe (unable to perform normal activities). Compare to your own baseline.

How long should I track symptoms?

Track until you recover, or for at least 7-10 days for typical respiratory illnesses. If symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks, consult a clinician.

Will my data be saved if I close the browser?

No. This tool runs entirely in your browser's memory. Data is lost on page refresh or close. Use the "Copy Summary" button to save your information elsewhere.

When should I definitely see a doctor?

If you experience any red flag symptoms (see checklist), have underlying health conditions, or if your symptoms are severe or concerning to you, seek professional evaluation promptly.

Methods & Assumptions

Severity Scale: Self-reported 0‑10 scale (0=None, 10=Worst imaginable).

Average Severity: Sum of severities ÷ number of entries.

Most Common Symptom: Symptom with highest frequency in log.

Days Tracked: Count of unique calendar dates present in log.

Trend Detection: Simple comparison of average severity in first half vs. second half of log entries.

Rounding: Averages rounded to one decimal place.

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Cold and Flu Symptom Log

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