The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently shared a resource to help readers identify whether their symptoms are from allergies, flu, COVID-19, or the common cold and the appropriate treatment steps to take if you are feeling unwell. The information is useful to better understand what is causing an individual’s symptoms and what measures to take to prevent sickness in others. Testing is recommended to rule out the possibility of COVID-19 and vaccination remains an important factor in protecting individuals and communities from viral spread.
Flu or COVID-19?
Flu and COVID-19 share many of the same symptoms and are similarly spread through sneezing or talking but are caused by different viruses. The flu may show symptoms earlier—within 1 to 4 days–than COVID-19, which can present symptoms 2 to 14 days after infection.
Both viruses can cause body aches, fever, headache and cough. Loss of taste or smell is indicative of a COVID-19 infection, but NIH encourages individuals to get tested if they are experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms.
Cold and allergies
Symptoms of a cold are often mild, including congestion, runny nose and sore throat. Body aches and chills are less common in cases of a cold than in flu or COVID-19. Allergies can cause symptoms similar to the common cold but are not contagious. Allergies are caused by environmental triggers such as dust, pollen or pets and are caused by an overreaction of the immune system rather than a viral infection. Itchiness in the eyes, throat and ears can also be a sign of allergies.
Preventing illness
Fortunately, measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and masking, are also effective at preventing other respiratory viruses like the flu and cold. In addition to getting tested, it is also recommended to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as a safe and effective way to protect yourself and those around you.
Below is a table provided by the NIH to compare the symptoms of cold, flu, allergies and COVID-19, as well as treatment and prevention recommendations for each.
For more information on this topic, consult the full NIH article linked below: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/01/it-flu-covid-19-allergies-or-cold.