Differences between the symptoms of Covid-19 and colds

In the midst of the new wave of Covid-19 infections across the country due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, people are questioning how to differentiate Covid-19 symptoms from those of a common cold.

Being able to differentiate the symptoms of a cold and Covid-19 is important because it helps you find the right tools to fight the virus. This is particularly important as treatments with monoclonal antibodies and Pfizer's new antiviral pill against Covid-19 must be administered during the first days after symptoms appear. If not received within this small time window, they are not effective.

Some of the symptoms of colds are similar to those of Covid-19, such as fever and body aches.

If you have body aches, sneezes, a runny nose, and fever, you are most likely suffering from a cold or common cold.

But if you have a sore throat, fever, and muscle aches that make you extremely weak, you are most likely suffering from the effects of a COVID-19 viral infection.

In the case of the common flu, you should feel the symptoms begin to ease and your body should begin to feel a sense of relief after three days.

With symptomatic cases of COVID-19, the first symptoms are likely to be followed by coughing and shortness of breath, which is already a reflection that the virus is attacking your body and your immune system is fighting hard against it.

In these cases, you should seek help from a physician who will analyze your symptoms and tell you what type of medication to take.

After the fourth or fifth day, other symptoms may appear, such as loss of smell and of taste.

Another symptom of COVID-19 that may persist, even after 10 days have passed and you have had a negative test, is the feeling of exhaustion.

It is important to detect the symptoms in time, to get tested, and during the first few days of the symptoms, receive an appropriate treatment that will prevent the disease from worsening.