With the pandemic under control, the majority of the population vaccinated and the lower incidence of the variants and subvariants that continue among us, there are few serious cases of covid in Spain.
However, we must not forget that the coronavirus is still with us and that, although it now manifests itself in a milder way -almost always-, it is necessary to know how to differentiate it from other seasonal conditions.
The flu and the common cold have increased in incidence due to the reduction in the use of masks and restrictions dropping, so now it’s harder to tell if what we have is covid or a common cold.
To begin with, the most common symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and its prevalent variants -BA.4, BA.5 and BQ.1.1-, are as follows:
As for the duration, reports suggest that the covid infection with these variants is shorter than other cases we have witnessed during the first days of 2022, in the midst of the omicron surge.
A positive result is usually reversed on average two or four days and, moreover, the symptoms, in general, attack more mildly.
How do I recognize it from a cold?
Regarding how to differentiate the symptoms of covid from those of a normal cold typical of the winter season in which we find ourselves, it is important to note that a common cold is rarely accompanied by fever.
Cough, headache and especially discharge e nasal congestionare the clearest symptoms that we have been victims of a cold typical of low temperatures.
In any case, the best thing to do is to perform an antigen test if we have any doubts and to be able to proceed with the appropriate treatment.
As of December 30, 2022, when the last health report on the current situation of the coronavirus in Spain was published, there were a total of 3,717 people hospitalized cause covid throughout Spain, 236 of them in intensive care.
