A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference?

It’s a question that as the colder fall air sets in and flu season inches closer that many people will have difficulty answering.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, testing has become more readily available so more people are able to be tested for the virus. But at the first sign of a sniffle, should you call your primary care provider to obtain a test?
To ensure that testing continues to be available for those at the highest risk, make sure you know the difference between symptoms of COVID-19, the common cold, and the flu.
If you believe you have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19, it’s best to be safe and get tested.Coronavirus/COVID-19 symptoms
- Dry cough (can be severe)
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
- Loss of taste and/or smell
- View all symptoms of COVID-19
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Cough, wet or dry
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
Sophia Tolliver is a primary care physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and an assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
This blog post has been updated since its original publish date (April 8, 2020).