Do I have a cold, Covid or the flu?
Catching Covid or the flu will usually feel worse than most common colds, and they’re all caused by different viruses.
Covid has a wide variety of known symptoms, from a high temperature and loss of smell to ‘COVID toes’. How you feel and what you experience will change as the virus mutates, so the best way to confirm if you have it is to do a test.
There are different strengths of Covid and the flu. The most common is least serious, even if it leaves you feeling like death warmed up. Stronger flu strains tend to break out every few years, so speak to your GP if your symptoms are particularly acute. Stronger strains can leave you bedridden for around a week, and make complications more likely.
While unpleasant, colds tend to go away completely after a few days, whereas Covid and flu can cause post viral fatigue. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as aches and fatigue weeks after you’ve recovered from the initial infection, book an appointment with your GP.
How to tell what you've got
Fading fast?
A cold can take a couple of days to kick in, while flu will develop rapidly over a couple of hours. The incubation period (the time from being infected to getting symptoms) for Covid is around three days, with the person becoming infectious a day or two before symptoms emerge.
Raging temperature?
A high temperature is unusual in a cold sufferer, but a key sign of Covid or the flu, with a temperature over 37.7°C sometimes lasting for several days.
Headache?
While a cold might leave you feeling a bit headachey, these are much more severe with Covid or the flu.
Muscle aches?
A cold will leave you feeling fragile, but Covid or the flu can floor you physically, with full body aches and chills.
Total exhaustion?
You'll feel tired with a cold, and probably won't sleep very well. When it comes to Covid or the flu, you are likely to feel a total exhaustion and need to stay in bed until it's over.
Stuffy nose or sore throat?
Almost standard issue with colds, but only an occasional flu feature. A runny nose and sore throat has been common in most Covid strains.
Vomiting?
Common with the flu and can happen with Covid, but rarely a side effect of a cold.
How to get over a cold quickly
- Rest as much as you can: The more rest you can afford, the quicker and more effective your recovery is likely to be. You're also less likely to spread your cold to other people if you're at home resting
- Keep your strength up: Try to eat well, and to drink plenty of fluids. Illness can rob your body of essential nutrients and vitamins; something you can help to restore with a decent diet
- Stock up at the pharmacy: They can advise which products are most likely to help ease your cold symptoms, and can help get you on your feet without needing to see a doctor
- Inhale: Breathing in steam from a hot shower, bath, or basin of hot (but not boiling) water can ease blocked noses and sore throats. Adding a few inhalant drops such as eucalyptus oil can also help, available from a pharmacy
- Ditch antibiotics: By all means call your doctor if the cold is associated with another infection, but remember that colds are viruses - antibiotics won’t work on them
Flu recovery
Recovering from Covid or the flu tends to take longer than a common cold, but plenty of rest and self-care can help you back to full power in time.
- Get plenty of sleep: Often this is all you’ll want to do and there's a reason - your body is fighting the virus and trying to recover
- Drink plenty of water: An illness such as flu or Covid can leave your fluid levels low, so even when you don't feel like it, keep water or a soft drink of your choice within easy reach and sip often. Eat when you can, too
- Pain relievers can be useful: Muscle aches and a high temperature can be eased with paracetamol or aspirin (always read the manufacturer’s guidelines first). Anti-inflammatories can also provide relief from aches and pains. If you’re taking cold and flu remedies at the same time, make sure you’re not taking too much paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Ditch antibiotics: Again, these are ineffective against Covid or the flu. If your symptoms become severe or worrying at any point, contact your doctor or NHS 111
- See your GP if symptoms persist: If your flu has lasted more 10 days, check in with your doctor for advice
- Rest up: Covid or the flu can leave you feeling run down. Support your immune system and help yourself get back to full strength by taking things easy for a few weeks after your virus and avoiding strenuous activity and late nights where you can
- Consider getting vaccinated: If your symptoms were particularly severe or you're considered vulnerable, you may be entitled to Covid and flu jabs before the winter flu season. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned and think this could help you.
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