COVID-19, chilly, allergic reactions and the flu: What are the discrepancies?

COVID-19, the popular chilly, seasonal allergic reactions and the flu have several identical indications and indications. Locate out about some of the essential discrepancies amongst these sicknesses.

By Mayo Clinic Team

If you have indications or indications of coronavirus disorder 2019 (COVID-19), it is really essential that you get in touch with your medical professional or clinic ideal away for clinical tips. But COVID-19, the popular chilly, seasonal allergic reactions and the flu (influenza) result in several identical indications. So how can you inform if you have COVID-19? Have an understanding of the discrepancies in indications that these sicknesses result in, as very well as how these sicknesses spread, are dealt with and can be prevented.

What is COVID-19 (coronavirus), how does it spread, and how is it dealt with?

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disorder brought about by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-two. It normally spreads amongst folks who are in shut get in touch with (inside of 6 ft, or two meters). The virus spreads as a result of respiratory droplets released when anyone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of anyone close by or be inhaled. The virus can also spread if a person touches a surface or item with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes, whilst this isn’t really regarded as to be a main way it spreads.

The most popular indications of COVID-19 are a fever, cough and tiredness. But there are several other attainable indications and indications.

At the moment, only 1 antiviral drug, known as remdesivir, is accepted to handle COVID-19. Some medicines may possibly support decrease the severity of COVID-19. The U.S. Foods and Drug Administration has offered comprehensive authorization to 1 COVID-19 vaccine and unexpected emergency use authorization to a handful of COVID-19 vaccines.

What’s the variation amongst COVID-19 and the popular chilly?

Both COVID-19 and the popular chilly are brought about by viruses. COVID-19 is brought about by SARS-CoV-two, even though the popular chilly is most often brought about by rhinoviruses. These viruses spread in identical means and result in several of the same indications and indications. However, there are a couple of discrepancies.

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a chilly?
Symptom or sign COVID-19 Chilly
Cough Generally (dry) Generally
Muscle aches Generally From time to time
Tiredness Generally From time to time
Sneezing Hardly ever From time to time
Sore throat Generally Generally
Runny or stuffy nose Generally Generally
Fever Generally From time to time
Diarrhea From time to time Under no circumstances
Nausea or vomiting From time to time Under no circumstances
New loss of style or scent Generally (early — often with out a runny or stuffy nose) From time to time (specifically with a stuffy nose)

Whilst COVID-19 indications usually surface two to 14 times right after exposure to SARS-CoV-two, indications of a popular chilly normally surface 1 to 3 times right after exposure to a chilly-causing virus.

You can find no heal for the popular chilly. Cure may possibly include things like discomfort relievers and around-the-counter chilly therapies, this kind of as decongestants. Unlike COVID-19, a chilly is normally harmless. Most folks recover from a popular chilly in 3 to 10 times, whilst some colds may possibly final as lengthy as two or 3 weeks.

What’s the variation amongst COVID-19 and seasonal allergic reactions?

Unlike COVID-19, seasonal allergic reactions are not brought about by a virus. Seasonal allergic reactions are immune process responses activated by exposure to allergens, this kind of as seasonal tree or grass pollens.

COVID-19 and seasonal allergic reactions result in several of the same indications and indications. However, there are some discrepancies.

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or seasonal allergic reactions?
Symptom or sign COVID-19 Allergy
Cough Generally (dry) From time to time
Fever Generally Under no circumstances
Muscle aches Generally Under no circumstances
Tiredness Generally From time to time
Itchy nose, eyes, mouth or internal ear Under no circumstances Generally
Sneezing Hardly ever Generally
Sore throat Generally Hardly ever
Runny or stuffy nose Generally Generally
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) From time to time From time to time
Nausea or vomiting From time to time Under no circumstances
Diarrhea From time to time Under no circumstances
New loss of style or scent Generally (early — often with out a runny or stuffy nose) From time to time

Also, even though COVID-19 can result in shortness of breath or issues respiratory, seasonal allergic reactions don’t normally result in these indications except if you have a respiratory situation this kind of as asthma that can be activated by pollen exposure.

Cure of seasonal allergic reactions may possibly include things like around-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, and avoidance of exposure to allergens the place attainable. Seasonal allergic reactions may possibly final several weeks.

What is the variation amongst COVID-19 and the flu?

COVID-19 and the flu are the two contagious respiratory ailments brought about by viruses. COVID-19 is brought about by the SARS-CoV-two virus, even though the flu is brought about by influenza A and B viruses. These viruses spread in identical means.

COVID-19 and the flu result in identical indications. The ailments can also result in no indications or mild or significant indications. Simply because of the similarities, it can be challenging to diagnose which situation you have based on indications by yourself. Testing may possibly be done to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You can also have the two ailments at the same time. However, there are some discrepancies.

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or the flu?
Symptom or sign COVID-19 Flu
Cough Generally (dry) Generally
Muscle aches Generally Generally
Tiredness Generally Generally
Sore throat Generally Generally
Runny or stuffy nose Generally Generally
Fever Generally Generally — not normally
Nausea or vomiting From time to time From time to time (much more popular in little ones)
Diarrhea From time to time From time to time (much more popular in little ones)
Shortness of breath or issues respiratory Generally Generally
New loss of style or scent Generally (early — often with out a runny or stuffy nose) Hardly ever

COVID-19 indications usually surface two to 14 times right after exposure to SARS-CoV-two. Flu indications normally surface about 1 to 4 times right after exposure to an influenza virus.

COVID-19 can result in much more-severe sicknesses in some folks than the flu. Also, COVID-19 can result in distinct troubles than the flu, this kind of as blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in little ones.

Whilst there is only 1 antiviral therapy for COVID-19, there are several antiviral medicines that can be used to handle the flu. Also, you can get an annual flu vaccine to support decrease your danger of the flu. The flu vaccine can also decrease the severity of the flu and the danger of severe troubles. The vaccine can be offered as a shot or as a nasal spray.

 

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How can you stay clear of having COVID-19, a chilly and the flu?

When attainable, get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re entirely vaccinated, you can much more safely and securely return to performing routines you may possibly not have been equipped to do since of the pandemic. However, if you are in an region with a significant range of new COVID-19 instances, the CDC suggests donning a mask indoors in community and outdoors in crowded regions or when you are in shut get in touch with with folks who are not entirely vaccinated.

If you have not had a COVID-19 vaccine, you can decrease your danger of infection from the viruses that result in COVID-19, colds and the flu by adhering to several normal precautions. Investigate implies that adhering to these actions, this kind of as social distancing and donning a facial area mask, may possibly have helped shorten the size of the flu year and lessened the range of folks afflicted in the 2019-2020 flu year.

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

  • Preventing shut get in touch with (inside of 6 ft, or two meters) with any person exterior your family, specifically if you have a higher danger of severe illness
  • Sporting a facial area mask in indoor community spaces
  • If you are in an region with a significant range of new COVID-19 instances, donning a mask outdoors in crowded regions or when you are in shut get in touch with with other people who are not entirely vaccinated
  • Washing your fingers often with cleaning soap and h2o for at the very least twenty seconds, or working with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is made up of at the very least 60% alcohol
  • Preventing crowded indoor spaces
  • Masking your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • Preventing touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cleaning and disinfecting significant-contact surfaces, this kind of as doorknobs, mild switches, electronics and counters, everyday

Also, get an annual flu vaccine.

How can you stop allergic reactions?

The most effective way to stop seasonal allergic reactions is to stay clear of your recognised triggers. If you happen to be allergic to pollen, stay within with windows and doorways closed when pollen is significant.

Sporting a fabric facial area mask also may possibly present some protection versus seasonal allergic reactions. Masks can stop you from inhaling some larger pollen particles. However, scaled-down pollen particles will continue to be equipped to get as a result of a mask. It is also essential to wash your mask right after every use considering the fact that a mask may possibly have pollen particles.

If you imagine you may possibly have indications or indications of COVID-19, communicate to your medical professional. Keep in mind, getting preventive actions can support you stay healthier.