Flu, Cold, or COVID, Which One Is It?

Common question these days. Given we are living in the midst of all these viruses this time of year, and the many similar signs and symptoms between them all, we should know a little bit about what to look out for, so let’s get to it.
The flu, cold, and COVID are all respiratory tract infections caused by viruses, each known to cause symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, sinus congestion, feeling run down, among others—all signs you’re coming down with something.
COIVD is known to often have an early onset of loss of taste and smell, even before any stuffiness sets in. So if you are outside lighting your fire pit and can’t smell the smoke, get in to get tested. Another sign more associated with COVID versus a cold and flu is diarrhea, though it can be seen in some flu cases, particularly in children. With a cold, you would typically get some sneezing where it is less noted in flu, and rarely seen in COVID cases. With the flu, you tend to have a faster onset of symptoms, particularly body aches and a fever, where in COVID and colds, they tend to build more gradually.
Bottom line is, because there are more similarities in symptoms than differences, testing for flu or COVID is recommended. You don’t need testing for the common cold. Know that it is possible to have any combination of these viruses at the same time.
Continue to exercise standard precautions, and get your flu and COVID vaccines if you haven’t yet. Seeing how effective mask wearing was last year in drastically reducing our flu cases, let’s continue to wear those too.
For more information pleasae visit Henry Mayo Newhall Urgent Care: www.henrymayourgentcare.com or call 661-200-2500.