Coronavirus Vs Cold Vs Flu Vs Allergies
There are lots of similarities between illness from the coronavirus and the flu, but there are some differences that help doctors distinguish them.
A key difference is the incubation period for the viruses — that is, the time it takes to develop symptoms after exposure to it. The flu always strikes quickly, typically one to three days. Coronavirus, however, can take anywhere from two to 14 days. Which is why its important to isolate right away after being exposed so as not to unknowingly infect others.
People usually recover from the flu in seven to 10 days, while its believed that it takes at least 10 days to recover from the coronavirus, especially those with severe cases, which can mean several weeks or even months of gradual recovery.
The symptoms themselves are a bit more tricky to distinguish. Below is a list of 12 symptoms that are easily confused among coronavirus, the flu, the cold and allergies.
Fever: Coronavirus and flu both cause fever, but its rare for the common cold. COVID-19 patients usually have a fever of 100 F or higher, while flu sufferers often experience fever of 100F to 102F that lasts three to four days.
Headache: COVID-19 patients sometimes have headaches. Flu sufferers often experience intense headaches. Headaches are rare with the cold, but sometimes caused by allergies.
Body aches and pains: The flu virus often causes body aches that are severe. Aches are sometimes present with coronavirus, but not always.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of Covid
The reported illnesses for coronavirus diseases 2019 range from very mild to severe illness, respiratory distress, and in extreme cases death. Most symptoms appear somewhere between 2 and 14 days after exposure. This is what makes this virus extra concerning, it is possible to carry for a long time without symptoms but passing on the virus.
Symptoms include:
- Some people present with body aches and pains
A big difference between allergies and COVID-19 is that individuals with allergies tend to have allergy symptoms that are regularly occurring and allergies are unlikely to cause a fever.
How To Prevent A Cold Flu And Covid
For most people, having a cold, the flu or COVID doesnt require a trip to the emergency room. Most symptoms resolve after some much-needed rest, but that isnt always the case.
To decrease your chances of catching a cold, flu or COVID, remember to wash your hands frequently. Washing with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds can help get rid of the germs on your skin.
Avoid contact with people who are sick. And if you become sick, stay home to keep from infecting others.Remember, the best way to prevent the flu and COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated, says Dr. Ly. The symptoms may be similar and having both viruses at one is possible. This is something youll want to avoid, especially older adults, young children and those with certain medical conditions.
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Allergies Usually Do Not Cause Wet Coughs
While coughing is often a symptom of both allergies and colds, the type of cough for each is different. A cold cough is wet and hacking, and typically produces mucus or phlegm that gets progressively thicker, often taking on a green or yellow tinge.
Allergies can cause a cough that feels like you have a tickle in your throat. Thats because allergens often irritate the lining of your nose, which triggers your nasal passages to create a watery mucus. This can drip out of your nose and down the back of your throat, creating that tickling sensation. This is referred to as post-nasal drip.
How To Tell If You Have Sinus Infection Or Allergy
So look out for the signs your symptoms arent allergies, but an actual, potentially contagious illness like a sinus infection, cold, or the flu. 1. Your snot is green. Its not pretty, and its a sign of infection. 2. You have a fever. Hot flashes and chills are symptoms that are never linked to allergies. 3. You feel pain in your cheeks.
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Can Allergies Feel Like The Flu
Ah, allergiesyou know the feeling all too well. Or so you think. Because during flu season, you might start questioning whether something more seriouslike influenzacould be causing your symptoms. Can allergies feel like the flu? And if so, how do you tell these two conditions apart? Weve got the answers you need.
Flu Symptoms And Treatment
Like the common cold, the flu is a common respiratory illness that is caused by a virus.
The symptoms of the flu come on quickly and are more intense than those of the common cold. Symptoms of the flu are like those that accompany a cold such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat, but also may include:
- fatigue and weakness
- chest discomfort
In most cases, treatment for the flu is similar to the common cold, including rest and plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter medications that can help reduce your symptoms. However, individuals who experience what are known as emergency symptoms of flu should seek immediate medical attention. You can learn more here.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold
Cold symptoms come on gradually and are milder than symptoms of the flu. Symptoms commonly include:
Cold symptoms typically last for about a week. However, youre contagious during the first few days, so stay home, get plenty of fluids and be sure to rest.
Most colds are caused by a virus, which antibiotics wont treat. Its best to get plenty of rest, fluids and use over-the-counter medicines to help manage symptoms, says Dr. Ly.
If your symptoms last longer than a week, check with your healthcare provider to rule out an allergy or bacterial infection.
It’s Probably Allergies If:
Your mucus is clear or watery. And it will stay clear, instead of becoming thick or discolored like it can with a cold, says Michael Benninger, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Your eyes are itchy or watery. It’s rare to have itchy eyes when you have a cold.
Your symptoms stay the same. “Allergies may feel extra intense for the first day or 2, but you’ll have the same symptoms day after day,” Benninger says.
You’ve had the sniffles for more than a week. A cold usually clears up in 7 to 10 days, but allergies can last several weeks or longer.
Your symptoms show up only in certain situations. Find yourself sneezing every spring or fall? Those are common times for allergies. Another allergy tip-off: Being in a specific place makes you feel miserable — for example, in a house with a cat.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Flu
Flu symptoms are often severe and come on quickly. If you have a fever and body or muscle aches right away, you may have the flu virus. Symptoms commonly include:
- Sometimes nausea and diarrhea
Most symptoms improve over the course of a few days, but youll likely feel run down for a week or two. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which leaves you contagious for a few days, so its important to stay home and rest.If you suspect you or a loved one have the flu, be aware of your risk of developing serious health issues. The flu can lead to serious health problems like pneumonia, especially in people who are young, elderly or have heart or lung problems, says Dr. Ly.As with the common cold, antibiotics wont help your flu symptoms, but getting rest, fluids and using over-the-counter medicines can help ease your symptoms.Your healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral medication, which can help you feel better sooner and may prevent complications like pneumonia.
Ethos Care Prioritizes The Health And Safety Of Its Patients
At Ethos Care, we take the safety and health of our patients seriously. As we enter flu season during an unprecedented year where COVID-19 has continued to spread across the country, our team has taken additional precautions to prevent the spread of illness. We are tested for COVID-19 weekly and every member of our team wears masks and additional PPE to protect themselves and their patients during visits.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and the protocols we have in place to maintain patient health and safety.
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Do You Have A Cold Or Allergies
WebMD Feature
Reviewed By Carol DerSarkissian, MD
Do you know how to tell the difference between a cold and allergies? Are you sure?
It’s easy to get them confused. Just ask Paul Ehrlich, MD, a professor of pediatrics at New York University. He’d been an allergist for years when he came down with what he thought was a cold. “I’d had a watery, runny nose for several days when one of my patients took a look at me and said, ‘Oh, you have allergies, too!'” Ehrlich says.
He’d never had allergies before, but a checkup with another doctor confirmed that the patient was right. “Turns out I was allergic to birch trees, which were in bloom at the time,” he says.
A cold is an infection caused by a virus. Allergies are your immune system’s reaction to a substance like pollen or pet dander. Because the two conditions cause similar symptoms, like sniffles and stuffiness, many people get them mixed up. Knowing which is which can help you get the right treatment, and that will help you feel better faster.
What Causes Each Condition
If youre trying to determine whether you have allergies or the flu, it can also be helpful to think about what might have led to the sickness. An allergic reaction occurs when someones immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as dangerous, and then takes the steps necessary to fight it off. Some common allergens include pollen and animal dander. So, if you started feeling under the weather after spending time outdoors or with a friends new pet, then chances are good that you might be experiencing allergies.
The flu, on the other hand, is a viral infection caused by various influenza viruses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , most experts believe that these viruses are primarily spread through airborne droplets produced when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. The flu can also be contracted when someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes. So, if youve recently been in contact with someone who was diagnosed with influenza, then its likely you could also have the flu.
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Allergy Vs Cold Vs Flu Symptoms
Do allergies cause flu-like symptoms? Can a cold turn into the flu? When you dont know what youre dealing with, you may visit your grandkids when you should really be seeing a doctor. Or, you may miss out on an afternoon outing with friends because you mistake seasonal allergies for something more serious.
To make smarter decisions about your health, start by understanding the similarities and differences between allergies, colds and the flu.
Can A Cold Or Flu Cause Allergies
An allergy is an inflammatory immune response to specific foods or something in the environment, known as an allergen. Colds and flu are caused by viruses or bacteria. Therefore, a cold or flu cannot cause an allergy.
Sometimes, allergies can lead to a sinus infection, which may develop into a fever. Sinus infections are the result of excess mucus and debris getting trapped in the air-filled sinus passages. However, the infection develops due to the bacteria or viruses present rather than the allergens.
Knowing what a person is allergic to can help in treating the allergies. A person can be allergic to several allergens at once. Some of the key steps to reducing allergy symptoms include:
A person with severe allergies may benefit from immunotherapy. This approach involves injecting increasing amounts of allergens in the body to de-sensitize the bodys immune response. A doctor must prescribe these injections.
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Am I Getting Sick Or Is It Allergies
Its the morning wake-up call we all dread: You roll out of bed with a stuffy nose, a pounding head and a deep cough you definitely didnt have yesterday. Despite getting a good nights sleep, you feel fatigued and are sluggish to begin the day. Is this just an allergy attack that an antihistamine can fix or are you sick?
As enjoyable as fall festivities and holiday preparation may be, the fall and winter seasons also bring about pesky seasonal allergies and miserable colds and flus. Knowing how to distinguish between these conditions can keep you healthy throughout the changing seasons and help you seek appropriate treatment when needed.
Symptoms Of An Allergy
Following are the common symptoms of an allergy:
- Irritation on skin
People often experience seasonal allergies. For example, you can get sick when trees or grasses release their pollen to help plant fertilization.
If this is the case for you, a doctor specialized in treating allergies can diagnose the problem. They will determine if you are allergic to any particular substance. Your doctor may expose your skin to different allergens to check for allergic reactions. They may also carry out blood tests to check for the antibodies that fight allergies.
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How Contagious Are They
Colds are transmitted through virus droplets that a person sheds when they cough or sneeze when they have a cold.
An allergy is not contagious. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to a substance, you can develop a reaction. Someone who does not have the same sensitivity or allergy will not develop a reaction.
Do You Get Chills With Allergies
Cold symptoms can seem like seasonal allergy symptoms. Flu symptoms usually involve fever, chills, and body aches, however. Seasonal allergies can be caused by tree, grass or weed pollen. They can worsen over time, and you can get new allergies as an adult.
Can you get a low grade fever with allergies?
Can allergies cause fever? According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies do not cause a fever. If a person is experiencing a fever alongside allergy symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, the likely cause is a sinus infection.
What are signs that you have allergies?
Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. The most common include: sneezing. runny or stuffy nose. watery and itchy eyes. itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals. ear congestion. postnasal drainage.
What kind of symptoms can be caused by allergies?
Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis A life-threatening allergic reaction. . Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis Rhinitis Inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose. , can cause: Sneezing. Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth. Runny, stuffy nose. Watery, red or swollen eyes
Can allergy symptoms mimic the flu?
What is the difference between allergies and flu?
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What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies
Allergy symptoms range in severity from person to person, can be stronger at certain times of the year and aren’t contagious. “For example, someone who suffers from allergies may have their worst symptoms during the summer months, when it’s hotter and plants and grasses pollinate,” says Dr. Ly. They can also be caused by normal things in your environment think pollen, dust, pet dander and mold.
Allergy symptoms can include:
- Nausea or vomiting
Like most respiratory viruses, COVID-19 can be spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Thats why its important to take the recommended measures to protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated, washing your hands, avoiding touching your face and staying home if youre sick, says Dr. Ly.
If you have COVID symptoms, take an at-home COVID test. You can also self-schedule your test at a Geisinger location near you. If you test positive, call your doctor.
Its important to identify positive cases of COVID, so that we can take proactive measures in protecting our communities, says Dr. Ly.
The Common Cold Symptoms
The common cold is the most common upper respiratory tract infection. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds. Symptoms usually develop 1 3 days after being exposed to the virus.
- It nearly always starts rapidly with throat irritation and stuffiness in the nose.
- Within hours, full-blown cold symptoms usually develop, which can include sneezing, mild sore throat, fever, minor headaches, muscle aches, and coughing.
- Fever is low-grade or absent. In small children, however, fever may be as high as 103 °F for 1 or 2 days. The fever should go down after that time, and be back to normal by the 5th day.
- Nasal discharge is usually clear and runny the first 1 3 days. It then thickens and becomes yellow to greenish.
- The sore throat is usually mild and lasts only about a day. A runny nose usually lasts 2 7 days, although coughing and nasal discharge can persist for more than 2 weeks.
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Is It Flu Covid
Staying Healthy This Winter
Feeling sick can be especially concerning these days. Could your sniffles be caused by COVID-19? Or the flu? A cold? Or maybe allergies?
Determining the cause of an illness can be tricky because many share some symptoms. They can leave you sniffling, coughing, and feeling tired. But there are important differences.
Figuring out whats making you sick can help you recover and prevent spreading sickness to others.
