Is it COVID or a cold?

Telling COVID-19 and a cold apart just by symptoms is tricky because they share many, but key signs for COVID-19 often include new loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, or significant tiredness, while colds usually focus on sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat without severe fatigue or breathing issues. Since symptoms overlap, testing is the best way to know for sure, but generally, COVID-19 can be more severe, with symptoms appearing 2-14 days post-exposure, compared to 1-3 days for a cold.

How do you tell if it's COVID or a cold?

COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. There's no cure for the common cold. Treatment may include pain relievers and cold remedies available without a prescription, such as decongestants.

What are the two most common signs of COVID?

The two most common signs of COVID-19 often cited are fever/chills and cough, though a new loss of taste or smell was also a very distinctive early symptom, with others like fatigue, sore throat, congestion, and headache being frequent as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists many potential symptoms, with these being some of the most frequently reported. 

Should I test for COVID if I have a cold?

Yes, you should test for COVID-19 if you have cold symptoms (like sniffles, cough, congestion) because COVID can mimic a mild cold, especially in vaccinated people, and testing helps you know your status, allows for appropriate isolation to prevent spread, and protects vulnerable individuals, as symptoms don't always predict severity. 

How to tell if you're actually sick?

Hur outlines five signs that you should call in sick and stay home to rest.

1. You have a fever. ...
2. You're sniffly, coughing and have a scratchy throat but no fever. ...
3. You have green or yellow nasal discharge. ...
4. You have a killer headache. ...
5. You have a hacking cough. ...
6. Stay home to stop the spread of germs.

Is it COVID, a cold or the flu? Here are a few easy ways to tell | ABC7

What are two of the 10 symptoms you should never ignore?

Two critical symptoms you should never ignore are sudden, severe chest pain/pressure (especially radiating to your arm), a classic sign of a heart attack, and sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your body, a key indicator of stroke; both require immediate emergency medical attention. Other serious ones include shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, confusion, or changes in vision, which can signal heart, brain, or other life-threatening conditions.
 

Are you physically sick with COVID?

COVID-19 symptoms can include: a high temperature – you may feel hot, cold or shivery, or your skin is hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.

What are the symptoms of the new COVID strain?

Common New COVID Variant Symptoms in 2025

• Sore throat (often described as severe or sharp)
• Congestion or runny nose.
• Dry cough.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Headache.
• Mild fever or chills.
• Body aches.
• Sneezing.

What are the first signs of a cold?

The first signs of a cold usually appear 2-3 days after infection, often starting with a scratchy or sore throat, followed quickly by sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose (clear mucus). You might also feel generally unwell or tired, with other symptoms like mild headaches or a low-grade fever sometimes appearing later.
 

Does COVID start with a sore throat?

You may wonder if a sore throat is still a symptom of COVID-19 or if there are other more prevalent symptoms to look out for. Yes, sore throat and COVID are still closely associated, and a painful throat is often one of the first symptoms.

What are some of the weird symptoms from COVID?

Weird COVID symptoms include skin issues like rashes, hives, or "COVID toes," neurological effects such as brain fog and dizziness, gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, nausea), changes in smell/taste (even years later), heart palpitations, fatigue, and even mental health struggles like anxiety, highlighting COVID's wide-ranging impact beyond typical respiratory signs.
 

What day is worst with COVID?

The worst days for COVID-19 symptoms often fall around Day 8-10, when fever and respiratory issues can peak, and a concerning worsening might occur around Day 5-7, but this varies greatly, with some seeing improvement around Day 13-14, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the illness. 

Is COVID snot clear?

runny nose, usually with clear or pale-colored mucus. sneezing. coughing. red, watery eyes.

What is the first noticeable symptom of COVID-19?

The first sign of COVID-19 can vary but often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, or headache, though a new loss of taste or smell was a hallmark sign, and congestion/runny nose is also common, with symptoms appearing 2-14 days after exposure, changing with variants. 

Do you sneeze with COVID?

Sneezing is a more common COVID-19 symptom now, especially with some newer variants and in vaccinated people who may experience more mild symptoms. Sneezing spreads COVID-19, so cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow, then wash your hands. You should get tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing symptoms.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

Key Symptoms

• Runny nose.
• Fever.
• Cough.
• Short periods without breathing (apnea)
• Trouble eating, drinking, or swallowing.
• Wheezing.
• Flaring of the nostrils or straining of the chest or stomach while breathing.
• Breathing faster than normal, or trouble breathing.

What drinks help fight a cold?

Best beverage for a cold: Water mixed with a sports drink.

You can also mix in a vitamin C supplement like Emergen-C. “There's some colloquial evidence that suggests hyper-dosing vitamin C is helpful for the immune system,” says Dr. Sampino.

How to know if it's a cold start?

Symptoms of a cold

1. a blocked or runny nose.
2. sneezing.
3. a sore throat.
4. a hoarse voice.
5. a cough.
6. feeling tired and unwell.

Does a cold come on suddenly?

The symptoms of a cold may come on gradually, while the flu usually starts abruptly. Below is a chart that may help determine which illness you have. Symptoms can vary widely with each of these illnesses.

How do I know if I have COVID or a cold?

Telling COVID-19 from a cold just by symptoms is tough, as they overlap, but COVID often brings tiredness, shortness of breath, or loss of taste/smell, while colds rarely cause these but often feature sneezing; the definitive way to know is to get tested for COVID-19, especially since both spread similarly and symptoms appear in days, but COVID symptoms can take longer (2-14 days). 

What strain of COVID is going around right now?

Currently, the dominant variant nationwide is XFG, with 61% of cases, followed by XFG.14.1, with 15% of cases, and XFG.1, with 5% of cases. "The original omicron variant is gone now," says Dr. Rupp. "Currently subvariants of omicron are circulating, including XFV, NW.1 and XFZ."

How to tell if your body is fighting off COVID?

It could be accompanied by white patches on the tongue, which may indicate an underlying inflammatory response. Night sweats. They can occur as a sign that your body is fighting off infection, and you may also experience other symptoms such as chills, fever, and body aches.

Which day of COVID has the worst symptoms?

COVID-19 symptoms often worsen around days 5 to 10 after they start, with a potential peak in fever and respiratory issues, though for some, symptoms can worsen around day 5-7 before improving; it varies, but days 8-10 are commonly cited for peak severity.
 

Can you beat COVID in 3 days?

The average recovery time for those who have mild or normal cases of COVID-19 or flu is between one and two weeks.

Should you lie down with COVID?

“With COVID-19, you don't want to compromise your lungs any more.” So, get out of bed even if it hurts to breathe. Stretch, cough, walk around and take deep breaths.