For me, a cold stays above my neck (sore throat, nasal congestion, etc.) When it moves into my chest, it's a flare-up. Colds can easily become flares.

On the other hand, you can have a flare-up without having a cold. I suggest you google "What are the symptoms of a COPD flare-up?" There are a lot of articles on symptoms of a COPD exacerbation.

Go to the doctor. We are not like regular people, We need to be treated immediately.
EXAMPLE. A month ago I wound up in hospital. My husband noticed a big change in my personality. Turned out my potassium and calcium levels were off. Meanwhile I had developed nodules under my skin on my right arm mycrobacteria, which the state of New York took the biopsy sample to test in their labs to see what it is. The meds that keep us breathing weaken our immune system.

Good luck and let us know how you make iut.

Ditto Zenobiagar!
Go to the dr. & let the dr decide.
My new Pulm just explained to me that every time i get sick it takes more away from my lungs & that i have to get treatment the minute i feel anything coming on.
Even if it feels like allergies & is in my nose; that has often been the start of a sinus infection for me.
prayers are with you.

just think of it as a cold IS a flare up---that can lead to a full blown exacerbation if not treated.

I agree with others - treat a cold as a flare. I had never had a head cold before but found out how quickly it can get out of hand. It moved from head to chest in one afternoon and turned into the worst flare up I have had. Was so bad I did not have the strength to use my ventolin and had to get a nebulizer and sleep sitting up for a few nights. Should have gone to hospital but afraid of getting something worse there. Still not up to snuff yet but working on it.