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How Do the Symptoms of COVID-19 Differ from Those of Cold and Flu?
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How Do the Symptoms of COVID-19 Differ from Those of Cold and Flu?

October marks the start of cold and flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, where, in 2020, many countries were also heavily affected by COVID-19. But cold, flu, and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory diseases, so how can those who become ill tell if they have just a cold or something more serious?
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Written by
Kara Rogers
Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and...
Kara Rogers
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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October marks the start of cold and flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, where, in 2020, many countries also have been heavily affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But cold, flu, and COVID-19 are all contagious respiratory diseases, so how can those who become ill tell if what they have is just a cold or something more serious?

Influenza, the common cold, and COVID-19 can produce very similar symptoms, including runny nose and cough. The common cold, however, tends to be mild in most individuals, rarely causing fever and aches. Flu and COVID-19, on the other hand, can cause more extensive symptoms, including fever, body aches, shortness of breath, headache, and, especially in children, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, flu and COVID-19 can result in pneumonia and death.

There are some key differences, however. For example, flu symptoms often develop soon after infection (one to four days), whereas symptoms of COVID-19 may take anywhere from two days to two weeks to emerge. Some people with COVID-19 also experience unusual changes in taste. COVID-19 may result in long-lasting respiratory and neurological symptoms and complications.

The surest way to know whether a respiratory infection is a cold, the flu, or COVID-19 is through testing. Because the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, testing can confirm the actual cause.

Kara Rogers