United States: It is the curriculum of every flu season when colds, the flu, and COVID appear to be the cause of many sniffly, sneezy noses, so how are you meant to tell the difference?
Recognizing the Symptoms
Glenn’s issue with cold, flu and COVID-19 is that the symptoms of the three are nearly similar, he pointed out.
A cold might present itself as cough, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue while flu will have all the cold symptoms plus, headache, fever, chills, body aches and fatigue, as reported by HealthDay.
Who is at Higher Risk?
On the other hand, COVID is characterized by similar symptoms to the flu, like having a cough, fever, and sore throat, among others, and may also include losing the ability to taste or smell, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of breathing.
While cold symptoms are slow to develop, flu symptoms appear suddenly. COVID endures for between two and 14 days after contact with the surface – and can worsen for some individuals.
Is there a possibility for some people to be at a higher risk of getting colds, flu, and COVID-19 as compared to others?
Children, the elderly, and any other individuals with such health complications as diabetes, lung problems, chronic kidney disease, metabolic disorders, heart illnesses, or cancer are more prone to respiratory infections. Glenn also said that people who are taking some drugs that suppress the immune system are also more prone to these sicknesses.
Different locations may have different temperatures than the US; one must keep this in mind while traveling outside the US.
Prevention Measures
If you are a normal health risk for any of these respiratory viruses, adhere to vaccine recommendations for flu and COVID. If you fall into the other risk factor category due to other illnesses or concerns, you should consult your healthcare provider on what measures you should take in order to prevent the condition, as reported by HealthDay.
To avoid all these viruses wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, use your elbow when covering your mouth, wear a mask where necessary, and clean all the areas that are prone to being touched most especially countertops, doorknob’s, and toilet handles, drink a lot of water, and take your rest, Glenn stated.