Health – Is it a cold, flu or covid?

Sometimes a cold feels so bad that we are convinced we must have the flu. Manflu is a thing! But how can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu? And what about covid? 

Colds, influenza and covid are all caused by viruses. Symptoms of a cold appear over one to two days and are usually mild including a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and congestion. You may also have a cough and slight headache especially if sinuses are blocked. There can be a mild fever but not usually any muscle pain.

Influenza (flu) symptoms, on the other hand, come on very quickly. One minute you are fine and the next, you are not. Symptoms are more severe than a cold, such as moderate to severe headache, muscle aches, fever, extreme tiredness and maybe a dry cough. 

While colds and flu exhibit different symptoms, distinguishing covid infections from colds and flu can be very difficult as many of the symptoms overlap. There are some uncommon symptoms that are particular to covid, such as loss of taste/smell and gastrointestinal symptoms. However mild covid infections seem to mimic a cold and the more severe covid infections have very similar symptoms to flu. This means there is really only one way to be certain if you have covid and that is to test. The latest RAT tests for sale at pharmacies check for covid along with influenza A and B and RSV.  

For both flu and covid, the best treatment is prevention. The official flu season has already started, although actual cases of flu remain low, which means there is still time to get yourself vaccinated. Covid does not seem to have a season, as such, but is prevalent in our community all year round. Vaccinations for covid are available every six months to everyone over 30 years old. The current covid vaccination covers the latest variants, so if it has been six months since your last covid booster, then it’s time to consider getting another.

Treatment options for colds, and mild cases of flu or covid, have just got better with the oral decongestant pseudoephidrine coming back on the market. Medicines containing pseudoephidrine are now classified as pharmacist only medicines which means you will be able to buy them at a pharmacy, but a pharmacist will need to speak with you about whether the product is suitable for you. They will also need to record your details.

Other treatments for colds, mild flu and covid include pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, saline nasal rinses and other nasal decongestants. 

Lastly, if you test positive for covid or flu and are feeling poorly, be sure to call a healthcare professional for help and advice. The anti-viral Paxlovidremains funded for those over 65 years old or who meet certain criteria and may be prescribed by your doctor or a specialised pharmacist. Tamifluis an antiviral treatment available for flu and can be purchased as a pharmacist only medicine.