The Difference Between COVID-19, A Cold Or Flu, And Allergies

If you are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, it is crucial to seek medical advice and self-isolate immediately. However, there are overlaps between the symptoms COVID-19, seasonal allergies, the flu, and the common cold and it may be hard to identify what you are currently sick with unless you undergo some form of testing services.

How then do you tell if you really have COVID-19? Is it COVID-19, a cold or flu, or allergies? In this article, we explore the different symptoms between the common ailments and what you should be on the lookout for.

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and is generally spread by people who are in close contact. This is because the virus infects others through respiratory droplets formed when people talk, breathe, sneeze, or cough. COVID-19 usually features symptoms like:

·  Dry cough

·  Muscle aches

·  Fatigue

·  Sore throat

·  Stuffy or runny nose

·  Fever

·  Loss of smell or taste, often without any signs of a stuffy or runny nose

Sometimes, COVID-19 can also be linked to vomiting or nausea, and diarrhea.

For most people who have experienced a cold or the seasonal flu, these symptoms are not a new experience. Continue reading to know what the main differences are.

Difference between COVID-19 and the Common Cold

Both the common cold and COVID-19 are spread through similar ways by viruses and can have many of the same signs and symptoms. However, it is unlikely that the common cold would cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or loss of smell and taste without a stuffy nose.

Difference between COVID-19 and Seasonal Allergies

It is important to note that seasonal allergies are not caused by a virus and are a response from our immune system to allergen exposure. For most people, this is normally due to grass or tree pollens. In other words, if you find yourself experiencing the same symptoms during the same period of time annually, or when you are in a particular place, it could be likely that it is a seasonal allergy, and you should talk to your doctor to identify the allergen causing your condition.

A season allergy is quite different from COVID-19 in that it usually causes an itchy sensation in your eyes, nose, inner ear, or mouth and will never lead to a fever or muscle aches. Furthermore, it is unlikely that seasonal allergies will cause difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath unless you have an underlying condition like asthma.

Seasonal allergies are also a lot easier than COVID-19 to treat and the symptoms can be easily palliated with over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal steroid spray. The best way to avoid it is to avoid places where you can potentially be exposed to the allergen that you are sensitive to.

Difference between COVID-19 and the Flu

Just like the common cold, there are many similarities between the flu and COVID-19 as they are both respiratory diseases. Not only do they spread in ways that similar, but they also have similar symptoms that can range from mild to severe and even none in some people. It is also possible that you have both viruses at the same time. The main differentiator is that the flu very rarely causes a new loss of smell or taste without a stuffy or runny nose. Other than that, without proper testing, it can be hard to differentiate between the two.

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