Harsh weather like winter can invite different viruses into your body and as COVID-19 cases are on the rise, it is difficult to differentiate between colds, the flu, and COVID-19 as they share similar symptoms and can vary in severity. Let’s break down these illnesses in simpler terms.
Firstly, Covid is a respiratory illness caused by a specific coronavirus strain that emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The flu, short for influenza, is another respiratory illness that affects the lungs. Like Covid, the flu can be dangerous, especially for those with underlying health conditions, which is why they are offered a flu jab during this time of the year.
Colds, on the other hand, are caused by various viruses, with rhinovirus or a different type of coronavirus being the most common culprits. Unlike Covid and the flu, colds only impact your upper respiratory tract, involving your nose and throat rather than your lungs. While colds are generally not serious, some symptoms overlap with the other two more severe conditions.
Recently, there has been a surge in infections caused by the JN.1 variant of Covid. Although it is highly infectious, there is no conclusive evidence suggesting it is more severe. However, scientists still advise caution.
Symptoms of the JN.1 variant resemble those caused by other strains and include a sore throat, congestion, runny nose, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and fever or chills.
If you’ve done a Covid test and it’s negative, it could be the flu. Flu symptoms include a sudden high temperature, body aches, fatigue, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhea or tummy pain, feeling sick, and vomiting.
On the other hand, if your symptoms are less severe than the flu and have developed gradually, it might be a cold. Cold symptoms encompass a blocked or runny nose, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, coughs, sneezing, raised temperature, pressure in ears and face, and loss of taste and smell.
