With the times we are currently in, it can be hard to tell if your stuffy nose is just that, or something more. Sneezing or coughing in public may seem like marking yourself with your own scarlet letter, and no one wants to be the one to blame for getting others sick, so how can you tell if your symptoms are a result of a cold or the flu and not COVID? Hilary Sloane tells you the symptoms to look out for…
Colds develop gradually while the flu typically shows symptoms in 1-4 days, and COVID-19 symptoms appear five days after infection but can be as soon as two days and up to 14 days to appear. Fevers are rare with colds, typical with COVID, and only happen sometimes with the flu. Loss of taste or smell is uncommon in colds, sometimes with the flu and typical with Covid.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following most common symptoms, all of which may vary from person to person. Please note that information continues to evolve about COVID-19.
| Symptoms & Signs | Cold | Flu | COVID-19 |
| Symptom Timing | Gradual | Symptoms typically appear 1-4 days after infection | Symptoms typically appear 5 days after infection, but can be as soon as 2 days and up to 14 days |
| Fever or feeling feverish | Rare | Sometimes | Typical |
| Chills | Uncommon | Typical | Typical |
| Headache | Uncommon | Typical | Typical |
| Muscle pain or body aches | Slight | Typical | Typical |
| Fatigue | Sometimes | Typical | Typical |
| Cough | Mild to moderate | Typical | Typical |
| Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath | Uncommon | Typical | Typical |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes | Typical |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes | Typical |
| Sneezing | Common | Sometimes | Not common |
| Vomiting and diarrhea | Rare | More common in children than adults | Typical |
| New loss of taste or smell | Uncommon | Sometimes | Typical |
Colds, the flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, and the difference can be undetectable by symptoms alone. Seek a test to confirm a diagnosis. Protect your community by staying home and avoiding interactions within 6 feet of others when experiencing any of the above symptoms. Please don’t delay care.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, it is best to speak with your doctor and get tested. You can schedule a free COVID-19 test by visiting sbcovid19.com.
