Ever felt that scratchy throat and wondered, ‘Is it just a cold, or something more?’ Distinguishing between a cold, the flu, and COVID-19 can be surprisingly tricky—but understanding the differences could make all the difference.

They cause similar symptoms. You can even have more than one at a time.

Read our comparison guide to the cold vs flu vs COVID.

Symptoms Comparison of COVID-19, the Flu, and a Cold

A disease comparison starts with a symptoms comparison of COVID-19, the flu, and a cold.

The symptoms of a common cold tend to be mild. They may include:

  • Coughing 
  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Aches and pains
  • Fatigue

The flu tends to be more severe. It can cause worse versions of the same symptoms as a cold. There may also be:

  • Fevers
  • Headaches
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

There’s also an overlap in COVID-19 vs. cold and flu symptoms. They vary in intensity, with COVID tending to be rougher to endure. It also has unique symptoms such as:

  • Conjunctivitis
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of speech or movement
  • Cyanosis

Cold vs. Flu vs. Covid

The common cold, COVID-19, and the flu are spread by viruses. Over 200 viruses are attributed to the common cold. COVID-19 comes from the coronavirus. The influenza virus causes the flu.

They can all spread from person to person, but COVID-19 is infectious longer. The viruses infect the respiratory system.

It takes one to four days after a flu infection to appear. It takes two to five days or more for COVID-19. There may not even be any symptoms in either case.

Severity is key when comparing cold vs. flu symptoms. A cold isn’t as severe and only lasts seven to 10 days. 

The flu and COVID-19 can lead to serious complications.They include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Respiratory failure
  • Sepsis
  • Cardiac injury
  • Multiple organ failure
  • Inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscles
  • Secondary infections
  • Blood clots
  • MIS or multisystem inflammatory syndrome
  • Death

Prevention

Comparing a cold vs flu vs COVID also shows the differences and similarities in how you can prevent them. 

A few preventative measures work with all three of them. Keep up with proper handwashing. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay home when you start to feel symptoms.

There is no vaccine for the common cold, but keep up with your flu and COVID vaccinations. They prevent severe complications and are essential for high-risk groups such as children or the elderly.

When to See a Doctor

Visit your doctor if you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms. They can help you identify cold and flu symptoms and distinguish between them. Testing is also the only way to definitively distinguish between the flu and COVID-19.

Go to the doctor immediately if you or a loved one begin experiencing extreme symptoms. These include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Blue lips or face
  • Confusion
  • Inability to stay awake
  • Ongoing chest pain or pressure

Where to Get Treatment

Comparing the common cold vs flu vs COVID is important because of how similar they are. If you have a cough or runny nose, you need to find out which of these viral conditions is causing it to get the right treatment. 

Trailhead Clinics is a family medical clinic. You’ll get personalized, comprehensive care in one location for a small monthly fee. Contact us to join up today.