COVID-19, cold, allergic reactions and the flu: What are the variances?

COVID-19, the popular cold, seasonal allergic reactions and the flu have many equivalent signals and signs. Locate out about some of the important variances among these diseases.

By Mayo Clinic Team

If you have signals or signs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it really is important that you get hold of your health care provider or clinic suitable away for medical tips. But COVID-19, the popular cold, seasonal allergic reactions and the flu (influenza) result in many equivalent signs. So how can you inform if you have COVID-19? Realize the variances in signs that these diseases result in, as well as how these diseases distribute, are treated and can be prevented.

What is COVID-19 (coronavirus), how does it distribute, and how is it treated?

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by an infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. It generally spreads among people who are in near get hold of (within 6 ft, or 2 meters). The virus spreads as a result of respiratory droplets produced when a person breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of a person close by or be inhaled. The virus can also distribute if a human being touches a area or item with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes, while this just isn’t considered to be a most important way it spreads.

The most popular signs of COVID-19 are a fever, cough and tiredness. But there are many other probable signals and signs.

Currently, only just one antiviral drug, identified as remdesivir, is authorized to take care of COVID-19. Some medicine may well aid decrease the severity of COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has presented entire authorization to just one COVID-19 vaccine and emergency use authorization to a handful of COVID-19 vaccines.

What is the distinction among COVID-19 and the popular cold?

Each COVID-19 and the popular cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, although the popular cold is most usually caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses distribute in equivalent strategies and result in many of the same signals and signs. However, there are a number of variances.

Symptom verify: Is it COVID-19 or a cold?
Symptom or sign COVID-19 Chilly
Cough Typically (dry) Typically
Muscle mass aches Typically Occasionally
Tiredness Typically Occasionally
Sneezing Not often Occasionally
Sore throat Typically Typically
Runny or stuffy nose Typically Typically
Fever Typically Occasionally
Diarrhea Occasionally Never
Nausea or vomiting Occasionally Never
New decline of style or smell Typically (early — usually with no a runny or stuffy nose) Occasionally (specifically with a stuffy nose)

Even though COVID-19 signs generally look two to fourteen days right after publicity to SARS-CoV-2, signs of a popular cold generally look just one to three days right after publicity to a cold-causing virus.

There is no overcome for the popular cold. Procedure may well include things like agony relievers and more than-the-counter cold cures, this sort of as decongestants. Not like COVID-19, a cold is generally harmless. Most people recover from a popular cold in three to 10 days, while some colds may well past as long as two or three months.

What is the distinction among COVID-19 and seasonal allergic reactions?

Not like COVID-19, seasonal allergic reactions aren’t caused by a virus. Seasonal allergic reactions are immune system responses triggered by publicity to allergens, this sort of as seasonal tree or grass pollens.

COVID-19 and seasonal allergic reactions result in many of the same signals and signs. However, there are some variances.

Symptom verify: Is it COVID-19 or seasonal allergic reactions?
Symptom or sign COVID-19 Allergy
Cough Typically (dry) Occasionally
Fever Typically Never
Muscle mass aches Typically Never
Tiredness Typically Occasionally
Itchy nose, eyes, mouth or interior ear Never Typically
Sneezing Not often Typically
Sore throat Typically Not often
Runny or stuffy nose Typically Typically
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) Occasionally Occasionally
Nausea or vomiting Occasionally Never
Diarrhea Occasionally Never
New decline of style or smell Typically (early — usually with no a runny or stuffy nose) Occasionally

Also, although COVID-19 can result in shortness of breath or issue respiratory, seasonal allergic reactions really don’t generally result in these signs except if you have a respiratory issue this sort of as asthma that can be triggered by pollen publicity.

Procedure of seasonal allergic reactions may well include things like more than-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, and avoidance of publicity to allergens where probable. Seasonal allergic reactions may well past various months.

What is actually the distinction among COVID-19 and the flu?

COVID-19 and the flu are each contagious respiratory conditions caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, although the flu is caused by influenza A and B viruses. These viruses distribute in equivalent strategies.

COVID-19 and the flu result in equivalent signs. The conditions can also result in no signs or moderate or serious signs. Mainly because of the similarities, it can be hard to diagnose which issue you have primarily based on signs alone. Tests may well be finished to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You can also have each conditions at the same time. However, there are some variances.

Symptom verify: Is it COVID-19 or the flu?
Symptom or sign COVID-19 Flu
Cough Typically (dry) Typically
Muscle mass aches Typically Typically
Tiredness Typically Typically
Sore throat Typically Typically
Runny or stuffy nose Typically Typically
Fever Typically Typically — not normally
Nausea or vomiting Occasionally Occasionally (far more popular in children)
Diarrhea Occasionally Occasionally (far more popular in children)
Shortness of breath or issue respiratory Typically Typically
New decline of style or smell Typically (early — usually with no a runny or stuffy nose) Not often

COVID-19 signs generally look two to fourteen days right after publicity to SARS-CoV-2. Flu signs generally look about just one to four days right after publicity to an influenza virus.

COVID-19 can result in far more-really serious diseases in some people than the flu. Also, COVID-19 can result in distinct issues than the flu, this sort of as blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

Even though there is only just one antiviral procedure for COVID-19, there are various antiviral medicine that can be made use of to take care of the flu. Also, you can get an yearly flu vaccine to aid decrease your risk of the flu. The flu vaccine can also decrease the severity of the flu and the risk of really serious issues. The vaccine can be presented as a shot or as a nasal spray.

 

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How can you stay clear of acquiring COVID-19, a cold and the flu?

When probable, get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re completely vaccinated, you can far more safely return to performing actions you could possibly not have been equipped to do because of the pandemic. However, if you are in an region with a significant selection of new COVID-19 situations, the CDC suggests wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded regions or when you are in near get hold of with people who are not completely vaccinated.

If you haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccine, you can decrease your risk of an infection from the viruses that result in COVID-19, colds and the flu by subsequent various standard precautions. Investigate indicates that subsequent these measures, this sort of as social distancing and wearing a deal with mask, could possibly have served shorten the length of the flu year and lessened the selection of people afflicted in the 2019-2020 flu year.

Normal precautions to decrease your risk of COVID-19, colds and the flu include things like:

  • Steering clear of near get hold of (within 6 ft, or 2 meters) with any one outside your household, specifically if you have a increased risk of really serious illness
  • Carrying a deal with mask in indoor public areas
  • If you are in an region with a significant selection of new COVID-19 situations, wearing a mask outdoors in crowded regions or when you are in near get hold of with other people who are not completely vaccinated
  • Washing your palms usually with cleaning soap and water for at the very least twenty seconds, or making use of an alcoholic beverages-primarily based hand sanitizer that incorporates at the very least 60% alcoholic beverages
  • Steering clear of crowded indoor areas
  • Masking your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • Steering clear of touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cleaning and disinfecting significant-contact surfaces, this sort of as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily

Also, get an yearly flu vaccine.

How can you protect against allergic reactions?

The ideal way to protect against seasonal allergic reactions is to stay clear of your known triggers. If you might be allergic to pollen, stay inside of with home windows and doors closed when pollen is significant.

Carrying a cloth deal with mask also could possibly present some defense versus seasonal allergic reactions. Masks can protect against you from inhaling some larger sized pollen particles. However, smaller pollen particles will still be equipped to get as a result of a mask. It is really also important to clean your mask right after every single use given that a mask could possibly have pollen particles.

If you assume you could possibly have signals or signs of COVID-19, communicate to your health care provider. Keep in mind, having preventive measures can aid you stay nutritious.