The Covid-19 pandemic has been looming over our heads for a while now, and there has been a lot of confusion about the differences between cold and covid. Symptoms like a runny nose, cough, and congestion were easy to dismiss before the pandemic as just a typical cold.
However, those symptoms can now push anyone into a panic attack, leading them to believe they have Covid-19. Some symptoms of a typical cold and Covid-19 are similar, but there are distinctions in other symptoms and how they affect you.
Let’s look at how you can tell them apart: cold vs covid.
What are the differences: Cold vs Covid?
According to the CDC, COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a respiratory virus. The virus is considered to spread mostly by respiratory droplets that infected people produce through coughing, sneezing, or talking.
According to the CDC, a common cold, on the other hand, can be caused by a variety of viruses. Rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses are among them, with the exception of SARS-CoV-2. Colds may also be spread through personal contact with people that are sick.
However, the severity of these infections might vary greatly. Covid-19 can lead to hospitalization or worse if you are not vaccinated. This clearly indicated that Covid-19 is easily transmitted and can lead to more serious disease, mainly affecting the lungs initially.
What are the common symptoms? Cold vs Covid
According to the CDC, the common symptoms of a cold include:
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Sore throat
According to the CDC, the common symptoms of Covid-19 include:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fever or chills
- Runny nose or congestion
- Diarrhea
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Vomiting or nausea
Can you tell whether what you have is a cold or Covid-19?
Even doctors have difficulty determining whether you have a cold or COVID-19 simply by examining you and listening to your symptoms. However, there is a specific symptom that increases the chances that you have COVID-19, which is the loss of smell and taste.
Although that can happen with colds, it is much more frequent with COVID. When you have a cold, you usually get incredibly congested initially before losing your sense of smell. Most people who take COVID lose their sense of smell completely.
Despite this, there are still many people who have COVID-19 and don’t lose their sense of smell and taste or smell. Considering that we’re still in the midst of the global pandemic and COVID-19 is nearly everywhere if you experience even moderate symptoms, you should consider yourself tested.
If you experience any of the Covid symptoms, especially if you haven’t been vaccinated against COVID, put on a mask and go get a COVID test.
Who is the Covid test for?
Even though you may be fully vaccinated, you should get a test since breakthrough infections can occur. Whenever patients have respiratory problems, it’s a good idea to get COVID testing done right away.
This can entail taking an at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test or speaking with your doctor about obtaining a PCR test. The PCR test is really the benchmark for COVID-19 testing.
COVID tests performed at home aren’t always accurate, although they’re generally effective at detecting infections if you are experiencing any symptoms.
When you get a negative result but your symptoms worsen or you get a fever, repeat the test or contact your doctor for advice.
How should you treat a cold vs Covid?
According to the CDC, if your test comes back positive for COVID-19, you should isolate yourself from other people and the general public to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
It is recommended that you take acetaminophen for fever and stay hydrated if you’re feeling under the weather. For a cold, the same guidelines apply. Rest and mental health care may aid in the fight against both viruses.
However, if you have COVID-19 and experience more significant symptoms such as feeling disoriented or difficulty breathing, you should contact a doctor as soon as possible.