COVID-19 is like the flu or a cold today. How to tell them apart? The doctor has one way

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, loss of sense of smell or taste was the most common symptom of coronavirus infection. Today it is a rare symptom, but the most common symptoms are headaches, a sore throat and a stuffy nose. Doctors point out that COVID-19 is now very much like the flu or a cold, especially in vaccinated people. More and more often the question is how to distinguish between these diseases? How do you know if it’s actually the coronavirus? Doctors have no doubts: there is one sure way.

1. Many COVID-19 cases can look like upper respiratory infections, including the flu or the common cold
2. Dr. Grzesiowski: during the last training with medics, I analyzed flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms step by step. It is impossible to distinguish them, they are very similar
3. However, there is one way to recognize what disease you are dealing with. It’s testing yourself. Doctors, however, remind you what to look for
4. More information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page

How have COVID-19 symptoms changed, and what does it mean?

The world is struggling with another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is driven by the Omikron BA.5 sub-variant, the most easily spreading SARS-CoV-2 mutation among all the existing ones. Observations show that BA.5 causes symptoms similar to previous coronavirus variants. One thing seems to change, however: their frequency.

At the beginning of the pandemic, a typical symptom of COVID-19 and some sort of hallmark of the disease was disturbance or loss of sense of smell or taste. Currently, it is one of the less frequently reported ailments in coronavirus infection. Currently, the most commonly reported symptoms include: sore throat (58% experienced it in the Zoe Health Study), headache (49%), stuffy nose (40%), wet or dry cough, runny nose, hoarseness, fatigue, muscle pain.

These symptoms are not unique to COVID-19, on the contrary, they appear in infections of the upper respiratory tract. In other words, many cases of COVID-19 can look like the flu or a cold. Observations show that this happens more often in vaccinated people. “More and more evidence shows that people who have received two doses of the vaccine tend to have less severe symptoms such as headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat”, Christina Marriott, director of the Royal Society of Public Health (United Britain).

Flu and COVID-19 symptoms. Dr. Grzesiowski: it is impossible to distinguish between them. There is another way

Since the current symptoms of COVID-19 resemble the course of the flu or a cold, there is a risk of confusing these diseases and the question of how to distinguish them and whether it is possible at all. «There are now twice as many cases of COVID-19 as common colds. The ratio has never been so high » – Prof. Tim Spector, epidemiologist and founder of the Covid ZOE app. The specialist emphasizes that “the symptoms are almost the same, except for a generally greater fatigue and sore throat”. However, the assessment of the severity of symptoms is subjective. So Tim Spector believes that with these symptoms, it’s best to assume it’s COVID-19 ″.

If you want to be sure, reach for the SARS-COV-2 smear antigen test for self-testing, which you can buy at Medonet Market at a favorable price.

However, this is not an answer to the question of how to know if it’s COVID-19, the flu, or a cold? Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, whom we asked about it, admits directly: «There is no such possibility. I analyzed flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms step by step during the last training with medics. It is impossible to distinguish them, they are very similar ». So what can you do? The doctor shows one sure way: coronavirus tests. Without them, “it is impossible to make a proper diagnosis”.

The same opinions are also expressed by other doctors. «A runny nose and headache are symptoms of many infections, but they can also be the first – and only – symptoms of COVID-19. So if you have these symptoms, I encourage you to take antigen tests for a few days, ”advises Irene Petersen, professor of epidemiology at University College London, in the Independent.

Jeffrey Bender, an infectious disease specialist at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, advises. «With COVID-19, symptoms appear to last longer, and some people may feel tired and experience a loss of sense of smell and taste (which can last for weeks). But in most cases, only tests can tell if you have the coronavirus or not«.

COVID-19, flu or cold? When is the best time to take the test?

“If you are experiencing symptoms, it is time to get the test,” says epidemiologist Mohamed El-Sayed. What if the result is negative? “It doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have COVID-19,” warns El-Sayed. «The best solution is to test yourself again within 12-24 hours. If you get two negative results you can be more sure it’s not a coronavirus ».

This issue is also underlined by prof. Irene Petersen: «The first few antigen tests may be negative, but if you have COVID-19, the tests will likely be positive within a few days. Also, if you know that other people around you have the coronavirus, the likelihood that your runny nose and / or headache is a sign of the pathogen is much higher.«.

Doctors also remind you that whether it’s COVID-19 or the common cold, it’s always a good idea to isolate while treating your condition.

It is also worth remembering to constantly take care of your immunity. For this purpose, buy Healthy Like a Fish – a set of fruit and vegetable shots with herbs that will help you take care of the proper level of vitamins and minerals in your body.