As COVID-19 shares symptoms with other respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold or flu, you might worry about mistaking it for a seasonal bug. Experts say they are quite different – but, only if you know the telltale signs.
You wake up with a runny nose and itchy eyes. Any other time, you might take some vitamin C and simply hope to shake it off. But, this year, as the novel coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the globe, the slightest sniff of a symptom is likely to give you send alarm bells ringing. Could you have caught COVID-19?
In this case, the answer is probably not. Stuffiness and itchy, watering eyes are typical of seasonal allergies – not of coronavirus disease.
Which COVID-19 symptoms overlap with common bugs?
Let’s start with the most common signs, or primary symptoms, of infection by COVID-19. According to the World Health Organisation, these are:
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A fever (80 per cent of all cases)
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A dry cough (68 per cent of all cases)
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Shortness of breath (19 per cent of all cases)
Fever and cough are also symptoms of the flu and even – although less frequently – of a common cold. But, shortness of breath is not a typical sign of either a cold or the flu, unless your flu infection has progressed to pneumonia, in which case you should immediately seek medical advice.
Coronavirus disease has a wide spectrum of symptoms which range in intensity from merely inconvenient or rather miserable (over 80 per cent of those infected, who will make a full recovery at home) to critical and requiring hospital care. Not all carriers will develop all the reported symptoms; some may even be entirely asymptomatic, or ‘silent carriers’.
What’s more, because the virus is new in humans (the first case was reported in China in December 2019), doctors are still determining the full clinical picture of the disease. As of mid-April 2020, there isn’t yet a clear guide to help us tell a ‘mild’ case of the coronavirus from one that’s moderate, severe or critical.
What we do know is that each broad category of sickness is less common than the last. Mild and moderate infections are much, much more common than those that are critical or severe. As more research is published and reviewed, these categories will become more specific and defined.
What are the less common symptoms of COVID-19?
In addition to the key clinical signs (fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath), some people with COVID-19 will also experience:
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Aches and pains
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Nasal congestion
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Runny nose
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Sore throat
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Diarrhoea
*The symptoms listed are not exhaustive. Contact you healthcare provider if you are concerned about any symptom you experience.
Abrupt or gradual onset? This might be a clue.
While it can certainly be tricky to tell the coronavirus from other bugs that circulate widely each year, the speed at which your symptoms develop could be a helpful clue. Flu symptoms tend to come on abruptly, whereas COVID-19 symptoms typically take some time to build. Then again, slow onset is also a feature of the common cold. A cold, however, won’t usually come with a fever.
Another good reason to get your flu vaccine
Since the symptoms of COVID-19 are close to those of the flu, staying up to date with your flu vaccine can help to reduce the risk of confusion. If you’ve had your flu shot, you’re far less likely to catch the flu. So if you do have flu-like symptoms, it’s a less of a guessing game and – possibly – a case of COVID-19.
When should I seek medical care?
The World Health Organisation recommends seeking medical advice if you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. But, if you’re concerned about any of your symptoms, or suspect you might have contracted COVID-19, phone your healthcare provider. Make a note of what you’re experiencing to discuss with them as this will help them determine the best course of action.
If you suspect you might have the COVID-19 virus, call your healthcare provider. Calling ahead prevents you from spreading – or being infected by – the coronavirus and allows your healthcare provider to direct you to the right facility.