How Do I Know If I Have a Cold or Covid?

Symptoms that are common in both a cold and COVID include cough; runny, stuffy nose; and sore throat.

The common cold is a mild upper respiratory infection caused by viruses. Common colds are the most frequent acute illness in the U.S. and the industrialized world, and occur more often in winter and spring, though they can occur any time of year. 

A cold usually lasts about 7-10 days, but some symptoms can last for up 2 weeks. 

COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus, not previously identified in humans, responsible for an outbreak of respiratory illness that became a global pandemic in 2020. COVID-19 is different from other coronaviruses that cause mild illness, such as the common cold.

Distinguishing the common cold from COVID can sometimes be difficult because many of the symptoms overlap.

Symptoms that are common in both a cold and COVID include: 

• Cough
• Runny, stuffy nose
• Sore throat

Symptoms that commonly occur with COVID but only sometimes occur with a cold include: 

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Chest discomfort

Symptoms that commonly occur with COVID but are rare or do not occur at all with a cold include: 

• Loss of taste or smell 
• Headache
• General aches and pains
• Fever
• Extreme exhaustion
• Severe shortness of breath

Symptoms that commonly occur with a cold but rarely with COVID include: 

• Sneezing

Emergency warning signs of COVID that require immediate medical attention (call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital’s emergency department): 

• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion 
• Inability to wake or stay awake

More than 200 viruses are known to cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses the most common type. Adenoviruses and enteroviruses are other common viruses that cause the common cold.

Risk factors for catching a cold include:

• Close contact with someone who has a cold
• Season: certain viruses circulate more frequently during certain times of year
• Age: infants and young children have more colds each year than adults

COVID is caused by a type of coronavirus that is transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets from propelled into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Less commonly, COVID may spread when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.

A cold and COVID diagnosed based upon a history of the patient’s reported symptoms and a physical examination. 

Testing is not usually needed to diagnose the common cold. Tests may be used to diagnose COVID and to rule out other infections that cause similar symptoms such as:

• Testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
  • PCR tests (genetic or molecular test) 
  • Antigen test
• Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) or rapid molecular assays for the flu (influenza)
• Chest X-rays for lower respiratory tract infection

There is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics do not help treat colds caused by viruses. 

Home remedies to help relieve symptoms of the common cold may include: 

• Rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Using a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer 
• Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water or shower
• Saline nasal spray or drops to moisten nasal passages
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to relieve symptoms 
  • Pain relievers and fever reducers such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
    • Do not give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness 
  • Cough and cold medicines
• Lozenges to relieve sore throat 
  • Do not give lozenges to young children as they can be a choking hazard

For mild cases of COVID, supportive care is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Patients with mild illness are usually advised to remain home and self-isolate for at least five days. Treatments for mild symptoms of COVID include:

• Rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers 
• Cough suppressants if needed

For severe illness due to COVID infection, patients may require hospitalization. Treatments for severe COVID may include:

• Antiviral therapy 
  • Must be taken within the first few days of the start of symptoms to be effective
• Immunotherapy 
  • Monoclonal antibodies
• Corticosteroids 
• Antithrombotic therapy 
  • Anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy 
• High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen 
• Ventilation