The illnesses share several common symptoms
A telltale symptom could reveal whether you’re suffering from Covid rather than flu or a common cold. Spotting this particular sign may help distinguish between these illnesses. Throughout winter, we’re more susceptible to certain health conditions. The mix of colder temperatures and extended periods indoors with other people provides perfect circumstances for infections to take hold.
However, pinpointing the exact illness can be difficult, as many symptoms overlap between different conditions. According to the NHS website, Covid symptoms are “very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu”.
Both ailments can cause a high temperature, body aches, headaches and nausea, among other indicators. Yet “shortness of breath” is listed by the NHS as a sign of Covid but not of flu or a cold.
This symptom occurs more commonly in cases of illnesses such as Covid or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) supports this, identifying shortness of breath as a Covid symptom but not typical of a cold or flu, reports the Mirror.
That said, it’s important to understand that if someone doesn’t recover from flu and their situation deteriorates, they might start experiencing breathing difficulties. This can occur if the person develops pneumonia, for example.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning that adults experiencing “difficulty breathing or shortness of breath” should seek medical attention “right away”. This is listed among several “emergency warning signs of flu complications”.
Covid symptoms
According to the NHS, symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- An aching body
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick
The health service adds: “Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.”
Flu symptoms
The NHS website details that flu symptoms develop “very quickly” and may include:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
“The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active,” the guidance states. It continues: “Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.”
Cold symptoms
The primary symptoms of a common cold, also known as rhinovirus, include:
- A blocked or runny nose
- Sneezing
- A sore throat
- A hoarse voice
- A cough
- Feeling tired and unwell
You may also experience:
- A high temperature
- Aching muscles
- A loss of taste and smell
- A feeling of pressure in your ears and face
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