Is it COVID, Allergies, the Flu or a Cold? Here’s How to Tell the Difference

Sniffling and sneezing often come with spring. NewYork-Presbyterian experts explain how to know what’s causing your symptoms.

This spring brings some welcome changes: warmer weather and a semblance of normalcy as mask mandates lift and more people travel and gather. But with restrictions loosening and pollen counts rising, more people are also coming down with coughs, sore throats, stuffy noses, and itchy eyes. At this stage in the pandemic, it’s trickier than ever to know if your symptoms are caused by allergies, COVID-19, the common cold, or the flu.

Here, experts from NewYork-Presbyterian offer insights into each condition, key symptoms that can help you tell the difference between them, and advice on how to treat them.

What to Know: After a steep decline in COVID-19 cases following the Omicron surge in the winter, cases are rising again in the majority of states. This latest uptick is fueled by the Omicron subvariant BA.2, as the virus continues to circulate in New York and throughout the country.

Key Symptoms: Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include headache, sore throat, fever, congestion and runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, severe fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and a loss of taste and smell, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Judy Tung, section chief of Adult Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, says that Omicron presents with similar symptoms as the previous variants, though more people experience upper respiratory symptoms (sore throat and congestion) as opposed to lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath), and fewer people seem to lose their senses of taste and smell.

How to Treat It: If you have a mild case, it is important to rest and stay well hydrated, says Dr. Tung. Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can lead to significant dehydration, which can make you feel worse. Take an over-the-counter fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, every six to eight hours to keep your temperature under 100 degrees. Breathing in the steam during a hot shower can help ease a sore throat and congestion. However, ensure that you are well hydrated and not running a high fever before you do this, advises Dr. Tung. Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications can help, especially if stools are watery and episodes exceed eight to 10 a day. Always consult your physician to tailor your treatment plan.

If you have a more severe case of COVID-19, or are at risk for disease progression, ask your doctor about whether antiviral pills, intravenous antiviral drugs, and antibody treatments might be helpful options for you.

What to Know: As the spring weather changes and trees begin to spread their pollen, you may wonder whether your respiratory symptoms are caused by allergies. Allergies are due to an overreaction of the immune system that causes the body to defend itself against things like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.

Key Symptoms: The most common symptoms for seasonal allergies are runny nose; sneezing; nasal congestion; watery or itchy eyes; itchy nose, mouth, or throat; fatigue; and sometimes swelling or puffiness around the nose and eyes, says Dr. David Gudis, an assistant attending otolaryngologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Allergies can persist for weeks while pollen counts are high.

Fevers and persistent coughing are uncommon symptoms for routine allergies. If it does trigger a cough, it is usually a dry one. Furthermore, nasal discharge is typically clear and watery when caused by allergies, but thicker or discolored if it’s in response to a virus, says Dr. Gudis.

How to Treat It: If your allergy is due to pollen, being inside may be helpful. If you use an inhaler to treat your allergies, it should be used when needed, whether you are at home or outside. Over-the-counter medications, such as oral antihistamines or nasal steroid sprays, can be used for temporary symptom relief, but ask a doctor about potential side effects if used for extended periods of time

What to Know: People are accustomed to dealing with runny noses and scratchy throats in the fall and winter, but people can also get the common cold in warm weather, says Dr. Tung. As with COVID-19, viruses that cause a cold can transfer through the air, and through physical contact.

Key Symptoms: The usual symptoms that come with the common cold are sore throat, congestion, runny nose, fever, and body aches. Sinus infections can be associated with the loss of smell and taste, but regular colds typically don’t affect those senses to the degree that can be seen in COVID-19.

How to Treat It: Drink fluids and get plenty of rest, says Dr. Tung. Over-the-counter pain relievers may make you feel better temporarily. When possible, open windows to ensure that shared space is well ventilated to avoid getting other members of the household sick.

What to Know: The flu, like a cold and COVID-19, is a viral infection. Due in part to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, flu activity has been relatively low the last few years. The flu usually peaks between December and February, but it can continue into the spring. In fact, for the 2021-22 flu season, the CDC noted an uptick in March after seeing declining cases from mid-December through January.

Key Symptoms: Even though the flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, says Dr. Ting Ting Wong, an attending physician and infectious disease specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, they share a number of common symptoms: fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get tested, diagnose your illness, and begin treatment as soon as possible.

How to Treat It: The gold standard for treating the flu is an antiviral drug that your doctor might prescribe; it helps to lessen the severity of symptoms and shorten duration of the illness. But the best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot every year before flu season begins, and as with all illnesses, to take care of your immune system by eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.

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Allergy Symptoms vs Covid 19 Symptoms

Throughout the US, pollen has started to bloom and cause typical symptoms in those with allergies right as we have seen the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Allergies typically cause nasal symptoms such as a runny nose and sinus congestion but do not usually result in a fever, as is found with coronavirus or the flu. While some symptoms of the coronavirus overlap with allergies, there are several differences.  

It’s important to note that this article is not intended to provide comprehensive medical advice. If you have concerns, please always contact your doctor and use general best practices. 

The Symptoms of the Coronavirus are:

According to the CDC, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: (Updated July 17, 2020)

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Coronavirus is spread through coughing, sneezing, and close personal contact. We recommend following the CDC guidelines and those of your local health department to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Symptoms of Allergies are:

Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe and occur seasonally. The most common include:

• sneezing
• runny or stuffy nose
• watery and itchy eyes
• itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
• ear congestion
• postnasal drainage

Less common symptoms include:

• headache
• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• coughing

Allergies are caused by a response in the immune system and are not contagious. Medications can treat your symptoms, and immunotherapy can help those with allergies find relief. 

Take a look at our comprehensive chart below detailing the differences between the flu, allergies, and cold. Then, take a quiz provided by the CDC to see if your symptoms warrant medical attention for COVID-19.

© Family Allergy & Asthma 2023. All Rights Reserved.

“Omicron” or a cold? How to determine what is sick

The evolution of strains

Back in 2020, it quickly became clear that patients with the original version of the coronavirus and carriers of the first mutation of the virus, known as the “alpha” strain, have three main symptoms: cough, fever and loss smell, wrote British epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector in his article for The Conversation.

In addition, these cases were characterized by another 20 symptoms, which include fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, muscle pain, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, skin rash, as well as changes in the oral cavity, called “covid tongue” .

When the “delta” strain appeared, scientists noticed changes in the list of main symptoms. Shortness of breath, fever and loss of smell faded into the background, giving way to the symptoms of a common cold – runny nose, sore throat and sneezing. At the same time, patients’ complaints of headache and cough have become more frequent, especially among vaccinated patients.

“Omicron seems to be continuing the trend set by Delta. It also causes symptoms that are more like the common cold. Especially in people who have been vaccinated. And symptoms such as nausea, muscle pain, diarrhea and skin rashes have decreased, ”writes Spector.

The scientist said that, together with his colleagues, he carefully studied the medical records of patients for December 2021, the period when Omicron was rapidly spreading in the UK. Doctors compared the data with the beginning of October of the same year, when Delta was the dominant strain.

Five symptoms of “omicron” are named in those vaccinated against coronavirus

British epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector in his article for The Conversation wrote that…0005

Analysis showed that the five common symptoms of the strains were runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. However, the overall prevalence of coronavirus symptoms varies. So, loss of smell in October was in the top ten in terms of prevalence, but by the end of the year it dropped to 17th place. Now it is observed only in every fifth patient with COVID-19. In addition, less than a third (29%) of patients with “omicron” complained of fever, although this symptom was more common in the past.

“Importantly, only half of people with COVID-19 have any of the three classic symptoms: fever, cough, and loss of smell. This suggests that government guidelines for PCR testing (which suggest that you should get tested if you have one of these three symptoms) are hopelessly out of date,” said Prof Spector.

Why is omicron dangerous?

Omicron is much more contagious than previous strains, according to a British scientist. It is not yet clear whether doctors will face a new wave of hospitalizations due to the disease. He recalled that while “omicron” and “delta” may seem like a cold to many, “they can still kill or cause long-term symptoms that disrupt daily life, especially in people who have not been vaccinated or have a weakened immune system.”

“Until now, we have observed most cases (“Omikrona” – Gazeta. Ru) among young people, but now we are also seeing an increase in the number of diseases in older age groups, while the overall infection rate remains the same high ‘ Spector said.

He stressed that the recent rise in the number of positive cases among people over 75 years of age was worrying. At the same time, the scientist hopes that the high vaccination rate among older and more vulnerable groups in the UK will continue to lead to milder symptoms and fewer hospitalizations.

Omicron or a cold?

Data from British researchers suggests that “omicron” is similar in symptoms to the flu and the common cold. In the words of Professor Spector, “This means that it’s impossible to know exactly what you have based on your symptoms alone.” He is confident that during the new wave of COVID-19, any sore throat, runny nose or unusual tiredness should be considered coronavirus “until you get tested.”

Named the most common symptom of “omicron”

Bangladeshi experts named the most common symptoms of the omicron coronavirus strain. ..

January 24 12:32

“Just three months ago, about one in twelfth people with new respiratory symptoms tested positive for COVID-19. However, with the omicron, about 50% of the “new colds” are coronavirus,” Spector explained.

He added that if a person or a member of his family does not feel well, then there is a high probability that it may be COVID-19especially if people “sniff and sneeze frequently.” If you feel unwell, regardless of government instructions, it is better to stay at home, avoid contact with others and wear a mask if you have to go outside, the scientist concluded.

Dominant runny nose

The official representative of the Bangladesh General Directorate of Health, Professor Nazmul Islam, in turn, told the local online newspaper bdnews24 that in the country, almost three-quarters (73%) of all those infected with “omicron” complained of a runny nose.

According to him, many patients with a new strain of coronavirus also suffer from headaches, lethargy, fatigue and sneezing. So, headaches were registered in 68% of patients, and 64% of patients reported feeling tired or lethargic. At least 60% of those who become infected sneeze or experience a sore throat, and 44% suffer from a cough.

“We need to pay attention to these symptoms because they are similar to those of the seasonal flu. Therefore, we must consult with doctors before seeking any medical assistance,” Islam stressed.

At the same time, the “delta” strain still dominates in the country, but doctors believe that “omicron” will soon replace it.

ME “Mogilev City Emergency Hospital”

Unfortunately, this year, as in the previous ones, we cannot escape the flu epidemic. Influenza in 2018 mutated, including strains of the virus that had already been identified by virologists earlier. The strains of the virus that created its new version: Brisbane Michigan Hong Kong Each of the above strains has become more dangerous as a result of mutation. Let’s tell you in more detail which strains of the influenza virus are the most common for 2018:

A – Influenza A strain is one of the most deadly infectious agents today. The carrier can be not only a sick person, but also a sick animal. This strain is constantly mutating. Develops faster than virologists have time to invent new antiviral drugs; h2N1 is the infamous swine flu. In 2009, this virus claimed many lives and turned into a real pandemic. The course of the virus follows a similar clinical picture with influenza A. The main difference between this strain and all others is damage to the lung tissue. The main percentage of deceased patients are people who have developed pulmonary complications as a result of infection. Pneumonia caused by this type of virus is difficult to treat; H5N1 is a no less famous colleague, better known to the people as the “Bird Flu”. Lethality reaches 70%. To date, the resistance of the virus to drugs is high. And he continues. constant evolution; “AT Influenza type “B” is less deadly, but the threat to the patient’s life cannot be underestimated. The strain practically does not mutate, unlike other types of the virus. It is more easily tolerated by the sick. Complications are easier to treat than with other viral infections; “C” – Virus of this type is almost asymptomatic. Influenza C patients carry the virus easily. Cases of the disease are rare. An epidemic of the virus of this strain is almost impossible. Virologists are constantly working on modifying vaccines against viral infection.

“In the European region and in the world as a whole, a homogeneous picture of viruses is not observed, it is different even within the same country , And yet, with such diversity, the h3N3 influenza virus and influenza B viruses are now leading in most countries. Influenza viruses with the first type of hemagglutinin are lagging behind “. (According to the head of the National Center for Influenza Natalya Gribkova)

Unfortunately, those infected with the virus often consider the disease to be harmless and try to treat themselves. But doing so is strictly prohibited. Thus, statistics show that, due to a conniving attitude towards one’s own health and the lack of necessary vaccination, up to 500 thousand people die from influenza every year in the world.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

The main source of infection is considered to be a person with the virus, while the main route of infection is airborne. The maximum risk of infection occurs when the patient sneezes or coughs in close proximity to a healthy person. Isolation of the influenza pathogen usually ends a week after infection. But, for example, in the case of pneumonia, the patient remains potentially dangerous for 2-3 weeks.

RISK GROUPS:

Let’s take a closer look at who should take extra care of their health during the 2018 flu season. According to WHO, the following categories of people can be attributed to the high-risk group:

Children. In childhood, immunity is only being formed, therefore, it is necessary to take special care of young children in order to avoid the disease. You can vaccinate a child after reaching six months of age. Vaccination during maternal pregnancy is a controversial issue. Doctors’ points of view were divided. The best age to begin influenza vaccination is between 2 and 5 years of age;

Pregnant women are at risk. Doctors believe that vaccination is possible at any time. But it will not be superfluous to raise immunity, improved nutrition and vitamins;

Elderly people. At an older age, infections are tolerated much worse than at a young age. In order to protect yourself from infection, or at least reduce the risk, you need to get vaccinated. The number of deaths in the elderly is much higher than in young and middle age;

People with chronic diseases. In this case, the immune system is weaker because it is already constantly fighting a chronic disease. Influenza vaccination will help this category of people reduce the risk of complications from the virus during the epidemic;

Doctors. Health care workers are most exposed to the risk of infection. They are all the time “on the front line” in contact with sick people.

Flu symptoms 2018

In order to protect yourself from the flu in 2018, you need to know the enemy “by sight”. Therefore, it is necessary to know the symptoms and the incubation period of the disease (i.e., the period after the virus enters the body, during which it develops). The incubation period for strain A ranges from several hours to 2 days, strains B and C – up to 4 days.

Influenza is a disease that occurs in an acute form, characterized by a sharp rise in temperature, in contrast to the common cold.

The main signs that you are ill : You have a high temperature, you have a fever. “Viral” temperature usually rises to values ​​above 38 degrees; Aches and pains in the muscles. “Twisting” pain in the joints; Weakness, loss of strength, chills; Dizziness, severe headaches, as with a migraine; Nausea, sometimes vomiting occurs; Loss of appetite. The above symptoms usually appear within a few days. If the temperature does not subside after a week, then this is a serious cause for concern. Perhaps there are complications. With complications, a bacterial infection joins. Usually, complications affect the lungs. In order to eliminate the infection, it is necessary to take antibiotics. We remind you! Antibiotics only kill bacteria, they do not affect the virus!

Clinic influenza 2018 varies in severity

Mild course of the disease – influenza in a mild form manifests itself in general weakness, fever up to 38 degrees, rare headaches occur, appetite decreases.

Moderate severity – the temperature reaches 39 degrees. catarrhal syndrome. That is, the mucous membrane swells and becomes inflamed. Runny nose, sore throat. There is a dry cough.

Severe form – intoxication of the body. The temperature rises to 40 degrees. The patient experiences fever and chills, severe nausea.

The hypertoxic form is one of the most severe. Occurs rarely. The development is fast. After the occurrence of catarrhal phenomena, a hemorrhagic syndrome appears in a few hours. There may be epistaxis, vomiting, flushing of the face. There are violations of the respiratory system, and the brain is also at risk. We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor at the first sign of influenza .

Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. You should not endanger the people around you by heroically going to the clinic with a temperature over 38 and a fever. Moreover, it is impossible to allow going to work in a similar state. You risk not only sending all your colleagues and a negligent boss to the hospital, but also ending up in the hospital with complications. Bed rest needed!

If your temperature reaches 40 degrees for several days, don’t wait! Call a doctor or an ambulance. You run the risk of dying from the developed complications without taking antiviral and antipyretic drugs. Also, be sure to call your doctor if you have shortness of breath, a rash, a headache, or muscle cramps during the flu season. These symptoms indicate that your body needs urgent medical attention! Each person has different symptoms. People who have chronic disorders of the respiratory system, cardiovascular and circulatory systems should take their health especially seriously during the season of viruses and not ignore the symptoms of the onset of the disease.

In order to prevent the risk of serious complications, you need to seek qualified help in a timely manner, and not self-medicate.

2018 flu and cold . 7 Differences Due to the fact that the common cold and the flu virus have similar symptoms, people do not pay much attention and start the disease. It is necessary to learn to distinguish a deadly virus from a common cold. Swiftness. Influenza differs from the common cold in the speed of development. If a cold begins gradually, then a viral infection makes itself felt with a sharp onset. A rapid rise in temperature, a sharp headache that has arisen severe weakness . Colds start slowly. With a slight runny nose or sore throat. The temperature is subfebrile, rises in the evening. Influenza causes sharp pain in the chest area, severe sore throat and severe coughing . With a cold, these symptoms are less pronounced. Easy cough, sore throat, runny nose. Headache varies greatly. If the head does not hurt much during a cold, then influenza headache resembles a migraine attack . Lethargy accompanies both diseases. In the case of the flu, there is literally no strength to get out of bed. Muscle pain is one of the obvious markers of influenza. Cutting pain in the eyes and tearing is a sign of a viral infection. It feels like the apples of the eyes hurt, and bright light interferes. With a cold, this does not occur. A cold can go away on its own, usually without serious complications, but the flu virus, if untreated, develops even more rapidly.

Influenza treatment

We will list the main medicines aimed at eradicating a viral infection. But, this does not mean that this treatment is suitable for you personally! Before using this or that type of medicine, consult a doctor! And carefully study the list of contraindications for each drug. Antipyretics Ibuprofen and analogues. Antiviral Acyclovir, Groprinosin. Immunomodulators Interferon, Viferon, Amiksin. Antioxidants Askorutin, Vitamin E. Antibiotics are prescribed in case of a bacterial infection. The duration of treatment is a maximum of 10 days. In difficult cases, treatment reaches 14 days. The antibiotic is chosen according to the sensitivity of the infectious agent. Physiotherapy. Inhalations and other physiotherapy procedures help clear the lungs and bronchi from accumulated sputum.

Hospitalization is indicated in the presence of high fever, arrhythmia, vomiting and other severe symptoms of a viral infection.

The patient’s diet should contain foods rich in vitamins. Plentiful warm drink, bed rest.

Special attention should be paid not only to drug treatment. The patient must remain in bed for a week. At the same time, it is recommended to stop watching TV, reading books and playing games at the computer. It is necessary to increase water intake, add foods with a high content of vitamin C and other useful trace elements to the diet.

Preventive measures

• Take vitamin complexes;
• Observe basic hygiene rules;
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle;
• Exercise regularly;
• Sleep at least 8 hours a night;
• Try to be nervous as little as possible;
• Maintain proper nutrition;
• Give up bad habits.
  • Researchers from the UK claim that vitamin D not only strengthens bones, but also has a positive effect on immunity. Vitamin D is formed in the body under the influence of sunlight – in winter its concentration decreases and immunity also falls. That is why, researchers believe, in the cold season, people are more likely to get flu and colds.
  • A team of scientists from the Queen Mary University of London (Queen Mary University of London) studied the results of 25 studies, which involved more than 11 thousand people. The authors analyzed whether participants in these studies took vitamin D supplements and how often they had respiratory infections.
  • It turned out that taking vitamin D actually strengthened the immune system – people who regularly consumed vitamin D supplements were less likely to catch colds and get the flu. Of the 33 people who took vitamin D, only one developed acute respiratory infections. For comparison: every 40 people vaccinated against it fell ill with the flu.
  • Daily or weekly vitamin supplementation was much more effective than taking a large dose once a month. Adrian Martineau explained that people should be advised to take vitamin D in the winter – this will reduce the incidence of flu and colds.
  • The published results have already drawn criticism from some scientists. So, Professor Louis Levy explains that the relationship between taking vitamin D and strengthening immunity has not yet been proven, so it is not worth giving advice to take it for these purposes.

include moderate sports activities, taking vitamin complexes and reducing stay in crowded places during an epidemic. Proper nutrition, sleep and lack of overload also have a beneficial effect on the immune system. Minimize contact with people infected with the virus: Therefore:

News :

Vaccination

Vaccination should be carried out in the middle of autumn. During the virus season – this measure is undesirable. Immunity is formed only after two weeks from the day you were vaccinated. Be sure to remember this! And consult a doctor about its necessity and the absence of contraindications specifically for you! (Theoretically, the vaccine can be given during a pandemic.