The key symptoms of colds, flu and Covid revealed – can you spot the difference?

MOST people know of someone who is sick at the moment, whether that’s just a cough of full blown Covid.

In many ways this is expected, as respiratory illnesses are common during the winter months when the temperature starts to drop.

While Covid isn’t as prominent as it was this time last year, it’s still circulating.

Millions have already had the bug and the majority of Brits also have protection due to the huge vaccine rollout.

The current strain doing the rounds, Omicron, has been proven to be milder than others that came before it, such as Delta and Alpha.

Because of this, the majority that catch the bug, have reported symptoms similar to a cold.

But cases have risen in recent weeks – prompting fears of a new winter wave.

On Friday, official data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), revealed that 1.7million Brits currently have the bug, up from 1.3million last week.

Last week, one in 50 people had the bug, this has now risen to one in 35.

Figures from the team at ZOE also state that there are around 235,829 new daily symptomatic cases of Covid in the UK.

With lateral flow tests no longer free, it can be hard to know whether you have a cold, flu, or Covid.

Here’s how to tell the difference.

Omicron

The easiest way to check you have Covid is to take a test.

These are available for free for some groups – such as those who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill from the bug – for example if you are immunosuppressed.

You may also be asked to take a test if you are going to hospital for a procedure.

The most recent data from ZOE states that people who are catching Omicron are showing specific symptoms.

Data from app states that there are 20 symptoms Brits should be on the lookout for.

1. Sore throat – 63.55%
2. Runny nose – 53.04%
3. Headache – 53.02%
4. Blocked nose – 52.47%
5. Cough no phlegm – 52.06%
6. Sneezing – 47.02%
7. Cough with phlegm – 45.79%
8. Hoarse voice – 43.86%
9. Muscle pain aches – 29.46%
10. Fatigue – 22.97%
11. Dizzy light headed – 21.11%
12. Altered smell – 19.82%
13. Swollen neck glands – 17.72%
14. Eye soreness – 16.41%
15. Chest pain tightness – 16.26%
16. Shortness of breath – 15.9%
17. Loss of smell – 14.45%
18. Earache – 13.96%
19. Chills or shivers – 12.98%
20. Joint pain shoulders – 11.08%

Experts at the in the US said that one main difference, is that you are infectious longer if you have Covid, compared to the flu or cold.

They stated: “On average, people can begin spreading the virus that causes Covid-19 2-3 days before their symptoms begin, but infectiousness peaks one day before their symptoms begin.

“On average, people are considered contagious for about eight days after their symptoms began.”

Cold

Professor Tim Spector, scientific co-founder of ZOE last week said we are likely to be hit with a combination of viruses this winter.

“With the increase in colds and rhinovirus, as well as Covid-19, and the likelihood of a major seasonal flu epidemic,” he said.

He added that colds due to rhinovirus are increasing rapidly and are currently around five times more common than Covid-19.

If you’re suffering from a cold, it’s likely you will pick up ear infections and infections of the sinuses.

In general though, you may experience:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• body aches
• cough
• headache

Flu

The symptoms of flu are very similar to those of a very bad cold.

The NHS says this includes a suffer high temperature of 38C or more.

A high temperature had previously been a symptom of Covid, but the experts said that this is less likely with the Omicron strain.

You will also experience body aches and a dry cough.

You may also have difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite and feeling or being sick.

You are less likely to experience these with a cold or the Omicron strain.

So when it comes to spotting the difference between flu and Covid, it should be straight forward.

Experts at the CDC said: “People with flu virus infection are potentially contagious for about one day before they show symptoms. However, it is believed that flu is spread mainly by people who are symptomatic with flu virus infection.

“Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the first 3-4 days of their illness, but some people might remain contagious for slightly longer periods.

“Infants and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer.”

But there is a finer line between a cold and Omicron, so you should look out for any secondary infections such as ear infections.

It’s also important to note that you could have coronavirus, but have an asymptomatic infection – meaning you might not know you have the bug.