Although different, colds, flu, and Covid-19 have quite similar symptoms.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,
By: Adysha Citra Ramadani
The emergence of the Omicron variant has made Covid-19 cases increase again. At the same time, the “season” for colds and flu is approaching. Although different, these three diseases have symptoms that are quite similar.
“That’s why it’s difficult to distinguish between the three, but there are some differences,” explained Dr John Torres, as reported by Today, Thursday (30/12).
Given the current pandemic, Dr Torres said people with symptoms should assume they have Covid-19 until they are proven not to have been tested. As long as the results of the Covid-19 test have not been released, symptomatic people are advised to isolate themselves from others to prevent wider transmission.
“If your test is negative, at that point you can predict a cold or flu, but you have to assume it’s Covid-19 until (proven not),” said Dr Torres.
Covid-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. While colds and flu are often considered the same disease. In fact, in general, flu is more severe when compared to colds and the viruses that cause it are different. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, while the common cold is caused by viruses other than influenza, such as rhinovirus and parainfluenza according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to Dr. Torres, these three diseases have some similar symptoms. However, there are also differences that can be noticed. The following are typical symptoms of colds, flu, and Covid-19.
Common Cold Symptoms
Usually, the symptoms of a cold tend to appear within a few days. Symptoms that often appear in colds are runny nose, sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion.
Common Flu Symptoms
Unlike a cold or Covid-19, flu symptoms appear suddenly and can be severe. If you have a cold, a person can even have difficulty getting out of bed. Symptoms that often appear in the flu are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and headache.
Common Symptoms of Covid-19
For Covid-19, some of the symptoms that often appear are similar to colds and flu. Symptoms include headache, sore throat, runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, there are also quite typical symptoms such as loss of sense of smell and taste.
In the midst of the emergence of the Omicron variant, symptoms such as loss of sense of smell and taste began to be rarely complained of. However, many experience symptoms of night sweats, coughing, fatigue, and a stuffy or runny nose.
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