October marks the start of cold and flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, where, in 2020, many countries also have been heavily affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But cold, flu, and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory diseases, so how can those who become ill tell if what they have is just a cold or something more serious?
Influenza, the common cold, and COVID-19 can produce very similar symptoms, including runny nose and cough. The common cold, however, tends to be mild in most individuals, rarely causing fever and aches. Flu and COVID-19, on the other hand, can cause more extensive symptoms, including fever, body aches, shortness of breath, headache, and, especially in children, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, flu and COVID-19 can result in pneumonia and death.
There are some key differences, however. For example, flu symptoms often develop soon after infection (one to four days), whereas symptoms of COVID-19 may take anywhere from two days to two weeks to emerge. Some people with COVID-19 also experience unusual changes in taste. COVID-19 may result in long-lasting respiratory and neurological symptoms and complications.
The surest way to know whether a respiratory infection is a cold, the flu, or COVID-19 is through testing. Because the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, testing can confirm the actual cause.