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By this time of year, it’s well into cold and flu season, and this year has also seen high rates of COVID infections and widespread cases of norovirus. If you begin to feel ill, you may be wondering which pathogen you’re dealing with.
At our three New Jersey locations of Maniya Health, we offer urgent care, including rapid testing for numerous conditions — such as COVID, influenza, and strep throat. The sooner you know what you have, the sooner you can get appropriate treatment, and our team can help. Here, we note differences between a cold, the flu, and COVID.
The annoying common cold
Most everyone has experienced a common cold, the least severe of the three illnesses we’re addressing here. Multiple different viruses can cause a cold, including rhinoviruses, which usually affect your upper respiratory tract. Some typical symptoms are:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Fatigue
- Body aches
Generally, a common cold is more annoying than dangerous. Most people don’t experience a fever, respiratory distress, or a fever with a cold. You’re likely to be better within 7-10 days of getting the cold.
Influenza — more concerning
Flu viruses usually strike more suddenly and are generally more severe than those viruses that cause a cold. Symptoms of the flu often include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Dry, persistent cough
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Body aches and muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
You may also have diarrhea or vomiting, although those symptoms commonly strike children more than adults.
The flu can be a serious condition and lead to complications such as pneumonia, especially in older people, young children, or people with underlying health conditions. Flu symptoms last 3-7 days, though they can last longer.
COVID is riskier
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and while its symptoms are similar to the flu, it carries a greater risk of causing serious complications. The most common symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
- Body aches
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
COVID is associated with some serious complications, such as pneumonia and problems with blood clotting. It can even lead to long term problems like ongoing fatigue, respiratory issues, and brain fog. When COVID causes such problems, it’s called “long COVID.”
You may not have any symptoms when you contract COVID, or they may be very mild. Testing is the only way to confirm that you have the virus. If you notice any symptoms, it’s important to get tested. Vaccines and boosters can help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID.
When to get help
A common cold usually resolves without treatment. But if you have more severe symptoms, like a fever, body aches, or shortness of breath, you should see a medical professional. Getting tested for the flu and COVID can help limit the spread of the illness, and our care team can recommend effective treatments.
If you’re not feeling well, you can visit any of our locations for urgent care or make an appointment with your primary care provider at Maniya Health. We’re conveniently located in Hamilton, Robbinsville, and Hopewell, New Jersey.