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COVID-19 has a number of symptoms that also appear with other infections and diseases. How can we tell when we are dealing with e.g. the flu or a cold, and when with COVID-19? Are the fever and rash a result of a coronavirus infection or, for example, scarlet fever? What should worry us?
- COVID-19, like the flu, presents with fever, muscle and joint pain, and general weakness. What distinguishes these two infections is the common lack of smell in COVID-19, unrelated to a runny or blocked nose
- Colds and allergies are usually accompanied by sneezing and runny nose. These are the two symptoms that can distinguish these infections from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection
- 100% differentiation of the coronavirus from the common cold is actually possible after testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2
- You can find more up-to-date information on COVID-19 and more on the TvoiLokony home page
COVID-19 or the flu?
Pandemic deniers often argue that COVID-19 is actually the flu, which has now been renamed to cause international chaos. It’s true that the flu and COVID-19 have a lot in common, such as the fact that both diseases are caused by viruses. The initial symptoms of the two diseases are also similar, but there are some details that differentiate the two infections.
A common symptom for COVID-19 and influenza is fever, however, what is important in the case of influenza, the fever is usually higher than 39 degrees C. Fatigue, muscle aches and pains also appear with flu and with COVID-19.
The most characteristic symptom is loss of taste and smell. It occurs suddenly in COVID-19 and is not related to a stuffy or runny nose – most people can still breathe freely. With the current wave, however, loss of these senses occurs less frequently, but problems with hearing occur.
More on how to distinguish between these two infections: COVID-19 and the flu share many of the same symptoms. How to tell them apart? [WE EXPLAIN]
COVID-19 or a cold?
The common cold is an infection usually caused by viruses. Other names for a cold are nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, nose and laryngitis, acute rhinitis and colds. After reading these terms, you can guess that a cold mainly affects the nose and throat. COVID-19, on the other hand, usually develops in the lungs and lower respiratory tract.
Symptoms common to the common cold and COVID-19 are cough and fever that occur rather rarely with the common cold. What distinguishes COVID-19 from the common cold is a runny nose and a stuffy nose in the latter.
– It is not an easy matter, in fact – Dr. Jacek Gleba, family doctor, pediatrician and internist told Medonet. She recommends to pay attention to a runny nose. – If I were to point out differences, when there is a purulent runny nose and a wet cough, we are rather dealing with a cold. The symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are very close to each other, the doctor notes.
Also, loss of smell with a cold is usually caused by a stuffy nose, while with COVID-19, loss of smell occurs suddenly and without a runny nose. With a cold, we are often accompanied by a sore throat, muscle and joint pain, but usually there is no shortness of breath characteristic of COVID-19.
See also: Will a common cold protect us from COVID-19? The latest research shows that it is possible
COVID-19 or allergy?
Distinguishing COVID-19 from allergies was especially important and difficult during the spring months, when we saw the infection spike in Europe. An allergy is a group of symptoms that occur as a result of the immune system’s abnormal response to an allergen. If it is removed from the environment, the symptoms disappear. In the case of allergies, the advantage is that the person who suffers from it knows the symptoms that accompany it and can distinguish them from the symptoms that occur during an infection.
A common symptom for COVID-19 and allergies may be conjunctivitis. Research shows that this symptom appears in some people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Allergy sufferers may also experience shortness of breath (e.g. if they also have asthma), which can also be confused with COVID-19. Dyspnoea is a characteristic symptom of this infection.
However, the similarities end there. Allergy is usually manifested by sneezing and runny nose, symptoms that are extremely rare with COVID-19.
See also: Is sneezing a symptom of COVID-19?
COVID-19 or scarlet fever?
Parents of children may ask themselves this question, because they are usually at risk of being infected with the bacterium that causes scarlet fever. This is the fundamental difference between COVID-19 and scarlet fever – COVID-19 is a virus, and scarlet fever is bacteria. Both diseases are spread by airborne droplets.
The first symptoms of scarlet fever include high fever, headaches, and a sore throat. Fever, in particular, can be associated with COVID-19. Scarlet fever also causes digestive ailments – abdominal pain or nausea. Diarrhea is increasingly referred to in the course of COVID-19.
An important symptom that distinguishes COVID-19 from scarlet fever is the characteristic rash of scarlet fever that initially appears on the chest and abdomen and then “spreads” throughout the body.
Skin rash can also appear in the course of COVID-19, but it is not as characteristic and common as with scarlet fever. Treatment of scarlet fever consists of antibiotics and antipyretic drugs. It is also very important to stay hydrated.
See also: A symptom of COVID-19 that is not officially listed as symptoms
COVID-19 and stomach flu
Can COVID-19 be confused with stomach flu? These two infections do not seem to have much in common, but this is a misconception. Observations of patients with COVID-19 show that in addition to typical symptoms, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, they also complain about a whole host of atypical symptoms, including those that are characteristic of, for example, gastric flu.
Both diseases are viral in origin. Stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is most commonly caused by norovirus. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus.
This is a must have in your first aid kit! You can buy an electronic wireless thermometer at Medonet Market.
Symptoms of stomach flu include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, headache and muscle aches. Some of these symptoms also occur with COVID-19 – especially fever. Nausea and diarrhea may also appear. So if we experience these symptoms, we can suspect that we have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, especially if we have recently had contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of COVID-19 develop on average two to five days after contact with an infected person (if they have become infected). For stomach flu, symptoms appear earlier – even 12 hours after contact, which can also help us distinguish between the two infections.
See more: Can COVID-19 be confused with stomach flu? [WE EXPLAIN]
Symptoms of flu, colds, viral gastroenteritis, allergies can be confused with symptoms of COVID-19. According to Jacek Krajewski, president of the Zielona Góra Agreement Federation, only diagnostic tests can distinguish COVID-19 infection from influenza.
Also read:
- Poles are “yes” to the third dose [SONDAŻ]
- Grzesiowski: the virus has not yet said the last word, where there are many infections, we expect new mutations
- Experts: This group should not take the third dose of the vaccine
- Great health knowledge quiz. How many points will you get? [QUIZ]
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