Is It a Cold, Flu, or COVID? How to Figure Out What’s Making You Sick
As the weather turns colder, you might find yourself reaching for the tissues more often. You’re not alone! But with so many viruses and illnesses making the rounds, it can be tricky to know exactly what’s ailing you.
Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, emphasizes the importance of testing.
“If you come in with some symptoms of cough or sore throat or runny nose, whatever it is, I can’t tell you if that’s a cold, if it’s walking pneumonia, if it’s COVID or the flu. You do need to test,” she said on “CBS Mornings.”
Good News: Tests Are Available
The good news is that testing has become easier than ever.
“Since the pandemic, we now have tests that cover all the most common viral and bacterial respiratory infections, making it easy to test for all with one swab,” Gounder said.
Testing not only helps confirm your diagnosis but also guides the appropriate treatment.
Treating the Right Illness
“We have specific treatments for influenza (Tamiflu, Xofluza), COVID (Paxlovid), ‘walking pneumonia’ (azithromycin), and other infections, and testing helps guide that treatment,” she added.
Signs of COVID in 2024
The COVID variant called XEC has been making headlines in 2024. While the CDC isn’t aware of specific symptoms associated with it, the virus has been detected around the world and in half of U.S. states.
Regardless of vaccination status, common COVID symptoms include:
- Cough
- Congestion or runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
Fortunately, free COVID test kits are available to all U.S. households through COVIDtests.gov. Each household can order up to four free COVID-19 nasal swab tests.
COVID vs. Flu Symptoms
Recognizing the distinction between COVID-19 and the flu can be difficult since their symptoms often overlap.
According to the CDC, flu symptoms usually include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Some people, especially children, may experience vomiting and diarrhea.
“It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. Others may feel feverish or have chills,” the CDC adds. “Flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly.”
To further ease the process of identifying the culprit, the FDA has authorized the Healgen Scientific’s Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test for home use without a prescription. This test allows individuals to simultaneously check for both COVID-19 and influenza at home.
Cold Symptoms
Unlike the sudden onset of flu symptoms, a cold typically develops gradually.
Common cold symptoms include:
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Mild body aches
Fever is rare in colds but may occur in older children and adults.
Other Illnesses to Watch Out For
Beyond colds, flu, and COVID-19, other illnesses can plague you this season:
- Walking Pneumonia: This type of pneumonia, scientifically known as mycoplasma pneumonia, can cause sore throat, chest pain, and fever in young children.
- Whooping Cough: Cases of whooping cough are on the rise, particularly among school-aged children. Known for its distinctive “whoop” sound during a violent cough, it can be dangerous for infants and young children due to their small airways.
- RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Affecting the upper respiratory system, RSV often causes a runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis.
What Should You Do?
Feeling under the weather? Don’t guess—get tested! Your doctor can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.