Health authorities have identified a crucial symptom that could help people distinguish between Covid-19, flu, and common colds as winter illnesses circulate.
The Key Differentiating Symptom
According to the NHS, Covid-19 symptoms can be "very similar to symptoms of other illnesses" such as colds and flu, making accurate identification challenging. However, medical experts highlight one particular symptom that stands out: shortness of breath.
The NHS specifically lists shortness of breath as a symptom of Covid-19 but not of flu or common colds. This distinction is supported by recent updates from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which confirms this symptom appears more frequently in Covid-19 cases and other respiratory conditions like RSV.
Understanding the Symptom Overlap
During winter months, the combination of colder weather and increased indoor socialising creates perfect conditions for respiratory illnesses to spread. Many symptoms overlap across different conditions, including high temperature, body aches, headaches, and nausea.
The NHS states that Covid-19 symptoms may include: a high temperature or chills, a new continuous cough, loss or change to sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and feeling sick.
For flu, symptoms develop quickly and typically include: sudden high temperature, aching body, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain, and feeling sick.
Common cold symptoms primarily feature: blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, hoarse voice, cough, and general tiredness and malaise.
When to Seek Medical Help
While shortness of breath is identified as a key Covid-19 indicator, health authorities note that breathing difficulties can also develop if flu complications arise, such as pneumonia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that adults experiencing "difficulty breathing or shortness of breath" should seek medical attention immediately as this represents one of several emergency warning signs of flu complications.
The NHS emphasises that while most people recover from Covid-19 within a few weeks, some may experience more serious illness with symptoms lasting longer. Similarly, flu can make some people seriously ill despite often improving on its own.
Health services recommend getting vaccinated against both flu and Covid-19 for those who are eligible, particularly as we approach the peak season for respiratory illnesses.
