With Covid-19 cases rising again in England, a pharmacist has explained one difference that may help people understand what they are dealing with, as respiratory infections circulate once more. A sore throat, headache and aching muscles can leave you wondering whether you have picked up a seasonal bug or something else.
Rising Covid-19 cases in England
The UK Health Security Agency says the XFG variant, often dubbed 'American Covid', remains among the lineages being monitored. Its latest surveillance report recorded 1,638 Covid-19 cases in hospital settings in England in the week ending October 4, up from 1,328 the previous week.
Dr Neel Patel, Associate Medical Director at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, says the length and course of an illness may offer a clue, although they cannot confirm which infection you have. He said: "People with flu normally feel very unwell for two or three days and will continue to experience symptoms for around another five days."
Key differences in symptom duration
Dr Patel added: "After that, you may feel tired and run down for a further two or three weeks. However, people with coronavirus usually begin to show symptoms five to six days after being exposed, and symptoms commonly last up to two weeks."
Dr Patel also cautioned that the illnesses can feel similar, saying: "It can be difficult to tell coronavirus apart from the flu as they share many of the same symptoms; however, they may feel more intense than having the flu." The NHS lists fever, cough, tiredness, aches, headache and a sore throat among possible Covid-19 symptoms, many of which can also occur with flu.
Testing and when to seek urgent help
The only reliable way to check for Covid-19 is to take a test, rather than relying on symptom duration alone. Dr Patel said: "While Covid-19 tests are no longer freely available on the NHS, you can still buy lateral flow, PCR and antibody tests online." Free testing is still available through some pharmacies for people eligible for Covid-19 treatment, while others can buy tests from pharmacies and retailers.
Dr Patel says urgent medical help is needed for difficulty breathing at rest, confusion, loss of consciousness or unusual drowsiness, persistent chest pain or pressure, cold or blue-tinged skin, or sudden loss of speech or movement. The NHS advises calling 999 for severe breathing difficulties, sudden chest pain, collapse or other potentially life-threatening symptoms.
