With fall in full swing, particularly if you’re outdoors at Little Debbie Park, chilly weather and increased rain often mean more cases of colds, flu, and COVID-19. But how can you tell the difference between these common illnesses? Understanding the key differences in symptoms, how quickly they come on, and the best treatments can help you manage your illness and prevent spreading it to others.

Learn how to differentiate between COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold, and what you can do to recover quickly.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah for COVID-19, flu, and cold testing and treatment.

Common Symptoms

First, let’s look at the common symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold:

• COVID-19: Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting.
• Flu: Symptoms are similar to COVID-19 and include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Common Cold: Symptoms are generally milder and include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches, mild headache, sneezing, and a low-grade fever (rare).

Onset of Symptoms

Paying attention to how rapidly symptoms emerge helps identify which illness you have:

• COVID-19: Symptoms typically appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. The progression can be slow, with symptoms worsening over time.
• Flu: Symptoms usually come on suddenly, often within 1 to 4 days after. The flu hits quickly and severely.
• Common Cold: Symptoms generally develop gradually over a couple of days. Colds are usually milder and less sudden compared to the flu and COVID-19.

Key Differences

• Breathing Difficulties: Severe shortness of breath is more associated with COVID-19, especially in moderate to severe. While it can occur with the flu, it is typically less severe and less common in the common cold.
• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: COVID-19 and the flu can both cause gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but these are more prevalent in children with the flu and less common in the common cold.

Testing and Diagnosis

When symptoms strike and you’re unsure if it’s COVID-19, the flu, or just a cold, testing is the best way to know for sure. Rapid COVID-19 and flu tests are available at our clinic and can quickly give you results with treatment and isolation needs.

Prevention and Treatment

• COVID-19: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent COVID. Severe Antiviral treatments are available, and early intervention can improve outcomes.
• Flu: Annual flu vaccination is available. Antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of the flu if taken early.
• Common Cold: There is no vaccine for the common cold, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications can help manage your illness.

With overlapping symptoms, it’s not always easy to differentiate between COVID-19, the flu, or a common cold. But noticing the details in symptom onset, severity, and unique signs can help you figure out which illness you might have. When in doubt—especially if your symptoms are severe or you’re at higher risk—it’s wise to visit AFC and consider getting tested. Preventative strategies like vaccination, good hygiene, and staying informed can go a long way in protecting yourself and others during cold and flu season.

If you think you might be experiencing COVID, flu or cold symptoms, visit AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah for a rapid flu test or COVID test.