The FDA has also approved one antiviral drug, called remdesivir, to treat COVID-19. They work best if they’re used early in your illness. Such drugs can make your flu milder and shorten the time you are sick. If you’re sick with the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. Being infected with flu and SARS-CoV-2 at the same time is possible, as is showing symptoms of both. Flu cases usually start to increase around October and peak between December and February. “Cold and flu viruses survive better and are more transmissible if it’s cooler and if there’s lower humidity,” Gordon explains.Įxperts are concerned that flu and COVID-19 cases may increase and overlap in the winter. Weather also plays a role in the spread of viruses. You’re more likely to be indoors and closer to others when it’s colder outside. Allergies can be treated with drugs like antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroids. Unless you have asthma, allergies typically do not cause breathing problems. overreacting.Īllergy symptoms tend to stop when you’re no longer exposed to the cause. If your eyes, nose, or ears itch, that also could be an allergy.Įxposure to things like dust, pets, and tree or grass pollen can trigger allergies, which are caused by the immune system The system that protects your body from invading viruses, bacteria, and other microscopic threats. Nasal rinses can bring relief for both cold and allergies.Īllergies can cause a runny nose and sneezing. Be sure to only use water that’s been properly processed, such as distilled or boiled water, not tap water. You can use a neti pot or other nasal rinsing device. Rinsing your nose and sinuses can help with congestion. Taking honey may help with nighttime cough for children over 1 year old. Some complementary treatments may help with cold symptoms, too. Typical treatments include rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicines.

Often, you’ll feel better in a couple of days. But you won’t usually have the aches and fever that are common with COVID-19 and flu. You may have a runny nose, cough, congestion, and sore throat. Like flu and COVID-19, colds are also caused by viruses and can be passed to others. And you can buy testing kits approved for use at home. COVID-19 tests are also available at many health centers. “You can go and get a COVID test at many pharmacies, and your doctor can administer tests for flu,” Bozick says. But because of other similar symptoms, there’s really only one way to be certain if you have COVID-19 or flu: Get tested.

One telling sign of COVID-19 in some cases is loss of smell or taste. A person with COVID-19 typically shows symptoms about 5 days after infection, although this can range from 2 to 14 days. Someone with flu usually has symptoms 1 to 4 days after being infected. Aubree Gordon, an infectious disease expert at the University of Michigan.ĬOVID-19 symptoms can take longer than flu symptoms to develop, she explains.

“Both influenza and COVID can be spread to other people before individuals develop symptoms,” notes Dr. Infected people may not have symptoms, but can still pass along either virus.

They’re transmitted by small particles that come from your nose and mouth when you sneeze, cough, sing, or talk, raising the possibility of infecting people who are nearby. Both can give you a fever, cough, headaches, and body aches.įlu and COVID-19 also spread similarly. Brooke Bozick, an NIH expert on respiratory diseases that affect the lungs.įlu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses that can be spread among people. “Distinguishing COVID from flu can be difficult because the symptoms overlap so much,” explains Dr. But there are important differences.įiguring out what’s making you sick can help you recover and prevent spreading sickness to others. They can leave you sniffling, coughing, and feeling tired. Could your sniffles be caused by COVID-19? Or the flu? A cold? Or maybe allergies?ĭetermining the cause of an illness can be tricky because many share some symptoms. Feeling sick can be especially concerning these days.

Corona virus symptoms chart