The coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a halt. Many countries have imposed stay-at-home or lockdown protocols to curb the virus’ continued spread. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is over 1.9 million, with more than 119,000 deaths. The U.S. has been the hardest hit country with over 500,000 cases. This has understandably caused many people to worry about the likelihood of being infected.
Two things have exacerbated this concern: asymptomatic cases and the similarity of symptoms between COVID-19 and the flu or a common cold. Case in point, our article entitled ‘What We Now Know About the Coronavirus?’ notes how most coronavirus cases have the following symptoms: fever, fatigue, and dyspnea. All of them are the usual symptoms of the flu and the common cold. Below is a guide that will help you distinguish between a cold, the flu, and the coronavirus.
Common Cold vs. Flu vs. COVID-19
The coronavirus is nothing new, though today’s variant is a new strain. And since it’s a virus, it has most of the same symptoms of a viral infection. As explained in a Parsley Health article about the coronavirus, there are three “hallmark” symptoms of COVID-19. They include: fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Other COVID-19 patients also experienced sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, and body aches. Unfortunately contracting the coronavirus is, in many ways, akin to you getting either the common cold or the flu. However, if you have above symptoms don’t panic. There are ways to narrow down and determine which illness you have.
Process of Elimination
It’s still easy for a person to develop a severe cold or a terrible flu in these times. Here the process of elimination comes in. In this case, we can differentiate between the common cold and the flu first. A CDC matrix comparing the common cold and the flu details how sneezing, stuffed nose, and sore throat are the most typical symptoms of the common cold. Fever, chills and aches, meanwhile, are rare. In comparison, the usual symptoms of the flu are fever, aches, chills, cough, and chest discomfort. The accompanying stuffy nose and sore throat are not as common.
A lack of fever, chills, and aches, therefore, is probably an indication that you have the flu. Not suffering from a stuffy nose or sore throat means that it is likely a common cold.
Key Differences Between the Flu and COVID-19
If a patient has a fever, then they have either the flu or COVID-19. Comparing the two, unfortunately, leads to plenty of gray areas. Their symptoms are very similar — but there are still key differences to distinguish one from the other. The first is the time it takes before the onset of symptoms. As noted by News 12 in its flu vs. coronavirus comparison, the onset of flu symptoms begins rather abruptly. In contrast, the onset of COVID-19 symptoms is more gradual. It often takes four or more days after the virus is contracted.
Another key difference between the flu and COVID-19 is that the latter often causes severe respiratory problems. In particular, the coronavirus usually comes with persistent chest pain and breathing difficulties. These two symptoms typically not associated with the flu. One more key difference is that having COVID-19 potentially leads to the sudden loss of both smell and taste. Now, anosmia and dysgeusia are typically linked to viral infections. However, worldwide data shows that both have been observed in many COVID-19 patients.
The Best Course of Action
In case you develop any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is best to err on the side of caution. In other words, consider the possibility that it might be COVID-19, and not the flu or cold. From there, take all the necessary precautions, like continuous hydration, frequent hand washing, and self-quarantine. Do not go directly to your doctor or a hospital. Instead give them a call first, and they’ll advise you on the best course of action.
For folks in the medical community, give us your feedback, are there any specific symptoms you’re seeing among your patients?
Until next time, stay safe!!!