Winter tends to be cold and flu season, as viruses tend to spread more easily when people spend more time indoors. This winter, people may wonder if their sniffles indicate they have a cold, the flu, or something more serious, such as COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Anyone unsure of what’s behind a cold-like illness should speak with their physician. In addition, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases notes that the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and RSV present some similar symptoms, but also some unique ones. While each illness is complex, certain symptoms may indicate which issue a person is dealing with. Knowledge of those symptoms and their frequency can help people determine whether they have a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or RSV.
Cold
- Aches: Sometimes
- Difficulty breathing: Rarely
- Fatigue: Sometimes
- Fever: Rarely
- Loss of taste or smell: Rarely
- Sore throat: Often
- Wheezing: Rarely
Flu
- Aches: Often
- Difficulty breathing: Rarely
- Fatigue: Often
- Fever: Often
- Loss of taste or smell: Rarely
- Sore throat: Sometimes
- Wheezing: Rarely
COVID-19
- Aches: Sometimes
- Difficulty breathing: Often
- Fatigue: Often
- Fever: Sometimes
- Loss of taste or smell: Sometimes
- Sore throat: Often
- Wheezing: Rarely
RSV
- Aches: Rarely
- Difficulty breathing: Sometimes
- Fatigue: Rarely
- Fever: Sometimes
- Loss of taste or smell: Rarely
- Sore throat: Rarely
- Wheezing: Often
Individuals concerned by the presence of cold- or flu-like symptoms should speak with their health care provider. Though many instances of cold, flu, COVID-19, and RSV will go away without medical intervention, each condition can pose a significant health risk in certain situations.
