Cold, COVID or the flu? Here are some of the key differences you should know about

Winter is here and with it the rise of the Omicron variant. Cue the stressful sweat every time you get a cold.

There are many similarities between the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19, including chills, body aches and coughs. But there are also some important differences between these conditions that we should all learn in order to have some peace of mind.

Colds are most common, especially when the weather starts to fall. While we can feel pretty awful, they’re usually milder than the flu and a lot milder than COVID. They usually last between 7 and 10 days and are accompanied by symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, cough, fatigue, and physical pain. While some medications can be taken, most of the symptoms are the way your body gets rid of the infection. In most cases, it is best to give your body time to fight off the common cold.

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While it is not allergy season, elements in your home like dust mites, pet dander, and mold can still trigger them. If you move into a new place and notice symptoms like a stuffy nose or itching, you can likely deal with an allergy.

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Right now, other than COVID-19, the flu should be your top concern as it produces some powerful symptoms that can quickly become complicated and require medical attention. The flu can be easily prevented with a flu shot. The infection affects the nose, throat, and lungs and can last 5 to 7 days with fever, cough, fatigue, aches and pains, sore throat, and more as symptoms.

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After all, COVID-19 is similar to all of the conditions listed above. It can range from mild to severe, and affect the elderly and those struggling with underlying health conditions more severely. Symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, tiredness, dry cough, and more. A runny nose or sinus congestion is very rare in COVID cases and very common in the conditions listed above, making it one of the key differences between these conditions.

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There are many differences in people who have experienced COVID-19, with cases ranging from barely noticeable to those that require hospitalization. One of the most noticeable symptoms is the loss of taste and smell, which usually occurs suddenly. If your condition is too confusing, the best thing to do is to take a COVID test to find out what is affecting you.