Learn to differentiate between symptoms of the flu, COVID-19, and the common cold – Teach Me the Science

The lingering cold is a good time for respiratory diseases to be high. This is normal because in cold temperatures our immune systems are more susceptible to viral illnesses. Therefore, it is necessary for us to pay attention when there is a sudden change in temperature because when we are exposed to cold, the climate causes our tissues to function to control the temperature and avoid infection.

An expert from the Dermatology Working Group of the Spanish Society of General Practitioners and Family Doctors (SEMG) explains: “Respiratory illnesses are more common in the winter due to cooler temperatures, which affects the humidification and heating systems of the air we breathe through the nose. This may lead to paralysis or reduced mobility of the cilia (hairs) of the nasal epithelium and bronchial airways, while Cilia help with the fluidity of mucus and fight viruses that enter the respiratory system.”

For the above reasons, we feel the discomfort associated with respiratory diseases, but when we feel the first symptoms of discomfort from these diseases, we may have a question: Is it the common flu, the common cold, or the new coronavirus? We know this can be a common question, and more than one, but in this article, we’ll teach you how to differentiate between these three conditions and show you the key symptoms of each.

It can be a little difficult to differentiate between these illnesses, especially since they have similar symptoms and are evolving, with new symptoms appearing. Now, let’s look at the symptoms of each disease:

Coronavirus

Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include headache, loss of sneezing, runny nose, dry cough, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, in addition to fever and sometimes diarrhea and nausea. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after infection.

However, when this disease is left untreated, it can cause complications such as chest pain, confusion, discoloration of the lips or face, and more.

influenza

Influenza occurs when a person is infected with influenza A and B viruses. It shows the same symptoms as the coronavirus, except for diarrhea, nausea, loss of taste and smell, and sneezing. While these last symptoms may occur occasionally, they do not appear repeatedly when infected with influenza A and B viruses.

common cold

When it’s the common cold or an illness caused by exposure to rhinovirus, symptoms are slightly milder than the other two illnesses. Coughing, sneezing, sore throat, congestion or runny nose are normal; headache, muscle aches, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and smell are less common. Never had diarrhea or nausea.