Do I Have COVID-19, the Flu, a Cold, or Something Else?

With its colder temperatures, drier air, and people hanging out indoors more than not, the winter months become a breeding ground for viruses to take hold and spread. But with so many illnesses with overlapping symptoms — such as the flu, the common cold, and now COVID-19 — how can you know which one you’ve got?

Led by Chika Kuwama, MD, the team at Hibari Family Medical in Edgewater, New Jersey, provides preventive and general health care and comprehensive adult and pediatric healthcare, including treating winter maladies like colds, the flu, and COVID-19.

Patient education is essential to Hibari Family Medical providers. That’s why they’ve put together this guide on the differences between common seasonal ailments so you’ll know when to seek medical attention.

Colds and their symptoms

The common cold can be caused by any of a couple hundred strains of respiratory viruses, producing several annoying but relatively minor symptoms. These symptoms are milder than you’d get from the flu, but they can appear similar to those of a mild case of COVID-19:

• Low-grade fever
• Sore throat, cough, and congestion
• Sneezing or a runny nose
• Headache/body aches (mild)
• Generally feeling draggy

Colds tend to peter out within a week to 10 days, and other than getting lots of liquids, rest, and using decongestants as needed, there’s not much to do other than let the virus run its course.

However, if you start having shortness of breath, your cold may have developed into something more serious. Contact us as soon as possible to make an appointment.

Influenza and its symptoms

The flu is a disease caused by one of three species of influenza viruses in the genus Orthomyxovirus: A, B, and C. The human influenza A and B strains are responsible for the abrupt rise in cases in the United States every winter, and doctors formulate the annual flu vaccine based on which strains they believe will dominate in the coming months.

Because the viruses mutate (change) so rapidly, you need to get an updated shot each year.

The influenza virus is easily passed from person to person, especially when people fail to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing and leave aerosol droplets behind. They may also fail to wash their hands after blowing their nose or touching shared surfaces like keyboards and doorknobs.

The annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now available. Get vaccinated now, and you’ll have full protection before the cases start to rise in November.

Signs of the flu include:

• Mild fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Phlegmy cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Possible vomiting and diarrhea, though seen more in children

Usually, the flu virus runs its course in two weeks or less; however, it’s possible to develop complications. Sinus and ear infections are two moderate complications, while pneumonia can be quite serious, including leading to death in elderly people and those with compromised immune systems.

If you develop any of these symptoms, contact our office to learn what to do.

COVID-19 and its symptoms

COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus first detected in China in late 2019. It then spread rapidly, causing a global pandemic. It’s primarily a respiratory virus, with symptoms related to the upper airways and lungs, but it can also present with non-respiratory symptoms.

COVID-19 can be much more serious than the flu, especially if you’re unvaccinated. Fortunately, vaccines were rapidly developed once the virus was identified and are now available even for children as young as five months. Like the flu, you need to get an updated shot each year in September-October.

A mild case usually fizzles out in a couple of weeks, but a severe case can linger for months or years (long COVID) and lead to life-threatening complications. Doctors don’t fully understand why this happens.

The World Health Organization notes that not everyone gets the same symptoms, and many people don’t develop any symptoms, which means they may not know they’re sick and contagious. That’s why testing and vaccinations are so important.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:  

• High fever
• Dry, hacking cough
• Extreme fatigue
• Body aches
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of senses of taste and smell

Of all the symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, the most unique to COVID-19 is the loss of taste and smell. While some people eventually regain their senses, others never do.

Current over-the-counter, at-home tests can reliably indicate if you’re infected, or we can test you here in our office.

If you’re not feeling well but aren’t sure what kind of illness you have, book an appointment at Hibari Family Medical. Call (201) 903-9929 or request a visit online. We also offer telemedicine visits.