Learn more about the differences between getting sick with a cold versus flu. Is it COVID-19 or flu? While some people start showing COVID-19 … Cold vs. Cold and flu viruses are transmitted typically via coughing or sneezing. If you have had a known close contact exposure to someone with COVID, you should be tested even if you have one mild symptom. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are fever (usually high), moderate to severe coughing, and shortness of breath. Flu vs. Many claim cold symptoms and flu symptoms can be relieved with Echinacea, zinc, neti pots, garlic, vitamin C, saltwater gargles, nasal strips, or bed rest. If you are stuffy, have a sore throat, and are sneezing a ton but you don't have a fever or chills, a cold is more likely to blame than COVID or the flu, according to the CDC. In the UK, the NHS says a symptom of Covid-19 is … Coronavirus or COVID-19 Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new strain of coronavirus not previously seen in humans that is spreading quickly worldwide. . COVID-19 vs a cold. Rhinoviruses cause about 30%-50% of colds. FLU vs. "What are the differences and similarities between the common cold, flu and COVID-19?" The 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Should You Be Worried? The devices may deliver adequate oxygen, but they also aerosolize the virus in the infected person’s breath and spread it around the area, increasing infection risk. Seasonal Allergies Symptoms Chart COVID-19 Symptoms range from mild to severe Cold Gradual onset of symptoms Flu Abrupt onset of symptoms Seasonal Allergies Incubation period 2-14 days 1-3 Days 1-4 Days Varies Symptom onset Gradual 7-10 Days 3-7 Days Varies Public health experts fear the coronavirus pandemic will cause a shortage of mechanical ventilation machines in the U.S. Why is coronavirus considered dangerous? The experts argue that a conservative death rate of 1% would therefore make COVID-19 at least 10 times as deadly as the flu, and therefore “significantly more lethal” than the common cold. Person-to-person spread may happen even if the infected person has no symptoms during the incubation period. Adds Dr. Washer, “Continue to social distance, avoid large gatherings and wear your mask! MORE FROM THE LAB: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Reviewed by Bruni Nazario, MD on March 24, 2020. Since the beginning of the pandemic, testing has become more readily available so more people are able to be tested for the virus. Hallmarks of the flu include mild to high fever, moderate to severe headache, cough, fatigue, and body aches/pains. Cold and flu season has officially arrived. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. If you are a Michigan Medicine patient, you can. Clogged sinuses and congestion bothering you? COVID-19, Allergies, Flu or a Cold? Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. home/coronavirus (covid-19) health center/coronavirus a-z list/covid-19 vs flu vs cold center /covid-19 vs. flu vs. cold article. SEE ALSO: Seeking Medical Care During COVID-19. To view PDF files, you will need Adobe Reader. COVID-19 symptoms are similar to many of those typical for the flu, the common cold and allergies. Flu According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the flu (influenza) and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses that are caused by different viruses. The common cold is arguably the most common human illness. Because the symptoms of Covid-19 mimic so many other typical childhood illnesses, it’s really hard to tell. COVID patients will often experience muscle aches, fatigue, and a fever. Nausea and … Cold vs. Pain? Colds, flu and Covid-19 have similar symptoms but are caused by different viruses. COVID symptoms can be of rapid or more gradual onset. Body aches Severesymptoms include: 1. Fatigue 6. For instance, you may have a cough with most of these ailments. It could be the coronavirus, or less serious cold. It is related to the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. Coronavirus cases tend to develop more gradually than the flu. Congestion/runny nose is common for the common cold and would be uncommon to be the only symptom for influenza. Though the common cold and flu share many signs and symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. Diarrhea is often associated with COVID but rarely with a cold. Each has similar symptoms, which makes it difficult to tell the difference between them. Health experts have been warning us about the dangers of a coronavirus-flu convergence during the cold seasons for months, saying that the COVID-19 … It’s a question that as the colder fall air sets in and flu season inches closer that many people will have difficulty answering. you should consider COVID testing. Experts say many COVID-19 cases will be “mild.” This means they’ll feel similar to the cold or the flu (which, to be clear, is still unpleasant, but means it’s likely you’ll have experienced something like it before). COVID-19 vs. Viruses cause the common cold and the flu. Primary symptoms of COVID-19 include: 1. Click to Download and Print PDF. United States. Runny nose 3. SEE ALSO: Seeking Medical Care During COVID … COVID-19 (also termed the Wuhan coronavirus, 2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, and others) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA coronavirus. The odds of having COVID-19 are much lower than having the common cold or flu. Here are key symptoms of seasonal allergy, cold, flu, and COVID-19 to help you take action as needed. Doctors mainly diagnose colds using clinical observation and medical history. Nasal irrigation can relieve sinus symptoms associated with colds and allergies. Fever 2. “Both can present with fevers, chills, cough, muscle/body aches, fatigue and headache.”. Having a fever is one of the key symptoms to tell the difference between a cold or allergies and something more serious. Covid-19 shares many of the same symptoms as the cold and flu but is far more deadly, health officials say Matt Mathers @MattEm90 Saturday 31 October 2020 13:16 One of the key differences between Covid-19 and a normal cough or cold is the presence of mucus (Picture: Getty Images / EyeEm) ‘The majority of this illness affects the upper airways due to mucus. "It's important for us to distinguish the difference between COVID-19 and influenza," said Wi… Here, Washer offers advice to follow during this unique cold and flu season. Influenza, the common cold and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory illnesses, and are caused by different viruses. Congestion/runny nose can be a symptom of a COVID infection and might be the only symptom in mild cases. Fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) 2. If you have any chronic medical conditions or are over the age of 65, you are at higher risk of getting a severe COVID infection and should call your doctor. Antiviral drug and vaccine research is very active but none are currently available. About 80% recover without specific treatment, while about 20% may require some respiratory support (oxygen and/or ventilator support). Take this quiz to learn how to protect yourself. Want More News? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID … Colds: Doctors recommend rest, fluids, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications like ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumonia Transmission: COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through sneezing or coughing. However, depending upon the viral strain, a cold can last up to 2 weeks. Record numbers of Covid-19 cases are being confirmed across the UK. See additional information. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination. Is It COVID-19, a Cold or Seasonal Allergies? As coronavirus cases continue to rise, it’s important to be able to tell the difference between the symptoms of a common cold, influenza and COVID-19. This Cold & Flu Quiz tests your knowledge on the difference between coming down with the common cold and sickness from influenza virus. COLD. Professor Tim Spector shares advice on the difference between the symptoms of a common cold vs COVID-19. If you believe you have symptoms and might be infected with COVID … Both are spread mainly by droplets made when people with the illness (COVID-19 or flu) cough, sneeze, or talk. Four other strains of coronavirus are actually very common and usually only cause mild symptoms (like the common cold). If you have fever/chills, new cough or new shortness of breath, you should stay home and arrange to be tested for COVID. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments. Coronavirus. Flu vs. Here are key symptoms of seasonal allergy, cold, flu, and COVID-19 to help you take action as needed. Early symptoms and signs for a cold and the flu are similar, however, flu symptoms are typically more severe than cold symptoms. Allergies vs. Covid-19. Because the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are broad, they overlap with those of other illnesses … While in previous years you may have chalked up a sore throat or body aches to a run-of-the-mill cold or flu, this year’s COVID-19 pandemic adds a new element of concern to getting sick. The flu is contagious, can spread from person to person, and has an incubation period of about 1-4 days. It is a new strain of coronavirus (the term corona means crown) responsible for causing a pandemic of serious respiratory problems that started in Wuhan, China. However, more than 200 different viruses may cause the common cold. What natural remedies work for the flu and common cold? Anyone with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or dizziness should stay home. The best foods to eat when you have the flu soothe symptoms and help you feel better faster. Cold - Treatment, Patient Comments: COVID-19 vs. Coughing. Flu. Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new strain of coronavirus not previously seen in humans that is spreading quickly worldwide. “The differentiation can be very important as there are isolation requirements to prevent transmission of COVID and antivirals that can be used for influenza,” she explains. Congestion/runny nose can be a symptom of a COVID infection and might be the only symptom in mild cases. Cold symptoms are mild and the common cold tends not to be associated with fever or headache. Is it a cold, the flu or COVID? Mechanical ventilation is a treatment to help a person breathe when they find it difficult or are unable to breathe on their own. Shortness of breath 5. In the UK, the NHS says a symptom of Covid-19 is … To help you tell the difference between these conditions, here’s a roundup of their most common symptoms. However, the rapid spread of the virus was due to person-to-person contact that has been responsible for the wide outbreak of this infection. Signs and symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and cough. Cold: You will usually have a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose with both COVID and a cold. But this also may be difficult to do. COVID-19 can also live on surfaces up to a few days. The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C. See a picture of Influenza Virus and learn more about the health topic. How can you tell the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold or the flu? Frequent symptoms of COVID-19 Following are ways to tell if you are suffering from allergies, a cold or the flu, or if you should call you physician and get tested for COVID-19. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system (nose, throat, sinuses, Eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes). Here is what you need to know about symptoms of the common cold and Covid-19. Wuhan coronavirus is similar as the initially infected people frequented an open-air food market that sold fish and animals, including wild animals. But other symptoms, like a fever, are more likely to occur with only COVID-19 and the flu. Antibiotics are not indicated for these three viral diseases. Anyone who experiences a symptom of illness will be concerned that it might be COVID-19, but at this time of year many people have allergy symptoms, and it's still possible to catch a cold, although flu season is ending. For both COVID-19 and flu, 1 or more days can pass between a person becoming infected and when he or she starts to experience illness symptoms. Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters. Flu vs. It's easy to confuse the symptoms of the common cold and flu with the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection. Cold vs. ©1996-2020 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. And get and use a thermometer.”, SEE ALSO: Keeping Our Patients Safe During COVID-19. A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference? Typically, a person develops symptoms anywhere from 1 to 4 days after infection. The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. A cold's duration (how long it lasts) is about 7-10 days. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Aches? Allergies vs. Covid-19. At first, it seemed to target people over 60 years old and have severe underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, but recent data from Italy suggests that people 20-60 years of age may get the disease at about the same rate. Experts say many COVID-19 cases will be “mild.” This means they’ll feel similar to the cold or the flu (which, to be clear, is still unpleasant, but means it’s likely you’ll have experienced something like it … Many of the most common COVID-19 symptoms are commonly seen in other illnesses, like the flu, the common cold or seasonal allergies such as hay fever (see Table 1). Doctors may prescribe antivirals/neuraminidase inhibitors for the flu. Good foods to eat with the flu include popsicles, turkey, vegetable juice, chicken soup, garlic, ginger, hot tea, bananas, toast, meal replacement drinks, oranges, pumpkin seeds, and carrots. Says Washer, one symptom that is more unique to a COVID infection is the loss of taste or smell. Mechanical ventilation is part of the arsenal of supportive care clinicians use for COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients with the most severe lung symptoms. But COVID-19 cases in the United States are still steadily increasing. You are free to copy, distribute, adapt, transmit, or make commercial use of this work as long as you attribute Michigan Medicine as the original creator and include a link to this article. The most common symptoms of coronavirus or Covid … The immunoglobulin or serology tests can tell whether or not you have been exposed to coronavirus, but not whether you are currently infected. Losing one's sense of smell can occur in both Covid-19 and the common cold, but Covid-19 patients are unlikely to have a blocked or runny nose. Cold vs. CDC twenty four seven. "Coronavirus (COVID-19)." Other symptoms and signs may include a sore throat, diarrhea, body aches and pains, and a stuffy or runny nose. More With vacations coming to an end and – depending on where you live – children going back to school, we have the beginning of the fall season. It has an incubation period ranging from 2-14 days. High fever (around 102 or 103 degrees Fahrenheit) COVID-19 vs. Endotracheal intubation is the safest way of providing breathing support to COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients who have severe lung symptoms. What are symptoms you should look for? No vaccine is available for the common cold. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) breathing machines include a pump for air and a mask that fits over the mouth and nose. Learn how long the common cold lasts, treatment for the common cold and ways to prevent it. You wake up one morning feeling under the weather. Congestion/runny nose is common for the common cold and would be uncommon to be the only symptom for influenza. The following article is designed to answer the following question. Flu vs. Mar. Having a fever is one of the key symptoms to tell the difference between a cold or allergies and something more serious. Doctors share how to tell the differences and similarities between coronavirus vs flu symptoms and how to stop the spread of both. Sneezing rarely happens with COVID, but sometimes happens with a cold. The main warning signs of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, are fever, fatigue, and a dry cough. © Copyright 2020 Regents of the University of Michigan. Coronavirus or Covid-19 The most common symptoms of coronavirus or Covid-19 are a fever – a temperature of 37.8C (100F) – a new persistent cough (usually dry), and a … The symptoms of COVID-19 you should know. Coronavirus, the flu, the common cold and even seasonal allergies can cause some of the same symptoms. Influenza (commonly termed the flu) is a viral infection of the upper respiratory and/or lower respiratory system. Is It COVID-19, a Cold or Seasonal Allergies? Influenza viruses cause the flu. “Three different viruses cause a cold, flu, or COVID-19, but because so many symptoms are the result of your immune system reacting to the virus … Fever? Although the table covers the signs and symptoms of these three conditions, it does not clearly prioritize the similarities and differences that medical professionals mainly use to differentiate or diagnose them. These viruses usually cause more serious symptoms in the respiratory system than cold-causing viruses. You need to self-isolate and to be assessed by a medical professional. Learn the differences between colds and flu - CDC. Mechanical ventilation is a treatment to help a person breathe when they find it difficult or are unable to breathe on their own. Researchers believe it originated from infected animals and jumped over to infecting people in a large open seafood/animal market. Find out what cold and flu treatments work the natural way, and what doesn't. A third of them had COVID-19, 10 had bad colds, and 10 served as control. Cold symptoms are mild and the common cold tends not to be associated with fever or headache. The table below summarizes the similar and different signs and symptoms of the common cold, flu, and COVID-19. CPAP machines should not be used for breathing support in COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients. COVID-19 vs a cold At first, COVID-19 will seem very similar to a cold, with coughing and sneezing. An expert offers advice for those worried sick about their symptoms. Click to Download and Print PDF. You may need testing for COVID-19. Here is what you need to know about symptoms of the common cold and Covid-19. There is a low threshold for COVID testing given risk of transmission to others. Coughing. There is one “wacky” symptom that stands out, and COVID-19 … The flu's duration varies from about 5 days to 2 weeks depending upon the severity of the infection. Flu vs. Reviewed by Bruni Nazario, MD on March 24, 2020. The coronavirus and the flu have so many symptoms in common, making a clinical diagnosis virtually impossible without testing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Congestion/runny nose is common for the common cold and would be uncommon to be the only symptom for influenza. Some good news is that social distancing and wearing masks may mean a milder flu season. Differences: If a person has COVID-19, it could take them longer to develop symptoms than if they had flu. Conditions that are very painful may prevent you from working effectively. Test your knowledge of colds; get prevention tips, and learn what you may want to avoid when treating a cold! COVID vs. Washer says that in many settings, the only way to tell the difference between COVID and influenza is by testing. you should consider COVID testing. Cold vs. If you are a Michigan Medicine patient, you can call the COVID hotline (734-763-6336). “There is significant overlap between symptoms of influenza and COVID,” says Laraine Washer, medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology at Michigan Medicine. Coronavirus. COVID-19, Allergies, Flu or a Cold? Recovery is relatively quick, depending on one’s immune system. A mechanical ventilator pushes airflow into the patient’s lungs. You likely won’t. Tests used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may use two methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia. Treatment options for the cold and flu are similar and focus on reducing symptoms. Dry cough 4. Seasonal Allergies Symptoms Chart COVID-19 Symptoms range from mild to severe Cold Gradual onset of symptoms Flu Abrupt onset of symptoms Seasonal Allergies Incubation period 2-14 days 1-3 Days 1-4 Days Varies Symptom onset Gradual 7-10 Days 3-7 Days Varies Symptoms Fever Common Rare Common Sometimes Fatigue Sometimes Sometimes Common Sometimes … Consequently, the following will summarize the main features of each disease and actual and/or proposed treatment. Treatments for COVID-19, flu, and the common cold, Patient Comments: COVID-19 vs. “Flu and other respiratory illnesses were reduced in the Southern Hemisphere, whose flu season typically stretches from May to November,” says Washer. COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS vs. If you have had a known close contact exposure to someone with COVID, you should be tested even if you have one mild symptom. Mechanical ventilation is part of the arsenal of supportive care clinicians use for COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients with the most severe lung symptoms. Terms of Use. Both the common cold and COVID-19 are viral infections that affect the respiratory system. Both tests administered in tandem can give you your complete COVID-19 infection status. Sometimes, it also causes cold -like symptoms like a runny nose . More With vacations coming to an end and – depending on where you live – children going back to school, we have the beginning of the fall season. Flu: Early treatment with an antiviral drug like oseltamivir (Tamiflu), rest, fluids, and acetaminophen and respiratory support can help if flu symptoms become severe. new loss of taste or smell, new nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. Updated Information on COVID-19: What Can You Do to Protect Against Coronavirus. Signs and symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and cough. Graphic indicating difference in initial symptoms between Covid, colds and influenza. Both COVID-19 and flu can spread from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). But given it's also the flu season, how can you be sure whether you have coronavirus, a cold … COVID-19: Medical professionals recommend rest, fluids, acetaminophen, and respiratory support if COVID-19 symptoms become severe. The COVID-19 outbreak has made it trickier to know what to ask when you call the doctor about what’s ailing you. Vaccines are available to reduce symptoms or prevent the flu. COVID-19 can also live on surfaces up to a few days. ALLERGIES SYMPTOMS COVID-19* COLD FLU ALLERGIES Fever Common (measured at 100 F or higher) Rare High (100-102 F), can last 3-4 days No Headache Sometimes Rare Intense Sometimes General aches, pains Sometimes Slight Common, often severe No Fatigue, weakness Sometimes Slight Common, often Flu is contagious, cold vs covid only symptom in mild cases an incubation period ranging from days... Mild and the common cold ( viral upper respiratory tract infection ) is a contagious illness that may prevented. None are currently available see a doctor made when people with the most severe lung symptoms whether to home. Professor Tim Spector shares advice on the difference between them for instance, you should stay home may also to! And to be assessed by a virus how to stop the spread of the common cold and flu similar... Aware they have the flu. under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license to! Example where the virus that usually only cause mild symptoms ( congestions, runny nose, headache, cough sore.: what can you do to Protect Against coronavirus is going to soar over the mouth and nose from. The cold and flu are similar, however, flu, and learn what you need know. Is what you need to know about symptoms of COVID-19 mimic so many other typical illnesses! ( usually high ), moderate to severe coughing, and there is new! 2-14 days % of colds ; get Prevention tips, and COVID-19 … vs! Have chest pain or pressure, confusion, difficulty breathing or blue discoloration to your or. Symptoms or prevent the flu are similar, however, some strains, like,. Antibiotics are not indicated for these three viral diseases has no symptoms features each... Happens with a cold, diarrhea, body aches and pains, learn! Pain or pressure, confusion, difficulty breathing or blue discoloration to lips! 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List/Covid-19 vs flu symptoms include fever, moderate to severe coughing, the... Many settings, the common cold, flu symptoms: new upper respiratory illness with a cold or allergies something. Action as needed is coronavirus considered dangerous take them longer to develop more than! Cold: similarities, differences, and cough suggest it may be contagious even in the period! Milder flu season including wild animals are a suspected source way of providing breathing support to COVID-19 coronavirus disease with! Vs COVID-19 influenza, the following article is designed to answer the following will summarize main. To infect humans allergies and something more serious and … the odds of having COVID-19 are much lower than the. The LAB: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter by testing what does n't lung symptoms headache, cough, throat... Currently do not know the animal species infected, but wild animals are a Michigan patient... 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Chest pain or pressure, confusion, difficulty breathing or blue discoloration your... Over-The-Counter ( OTC ) medications like ibuprofen ( Advil ) and acetaminophen ( Tylenol.... Makes it difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone pressure,,! And where you can get help believed to spread from person to person, have...