Information

How Can I Tell If I Have The Common Cold, COVID-19, Or The Flu?

In today's time feeling sick can be very disconcerting.  You may have a cough or sniffles and be questioning if you have a cold, COVID-19, or the flu.  Since the symptoms are common in all of them, it can be tricky determining which one you have.  However, there are differences between all three.   Unfortunately, there is only one way to know if you have the flu, a cold, or COVID-19 and that is to be tested.  The good news is that you can get tested at most pharmacies, or you can purchase a in home testing kit!

Common Cold

1. Common Symptoms:

      -Sneezing

      -Runny nose

      -Sore Throat

2. Less Common Symptoms

      -Low Grade Fever

      -Body Aches

      -Headache

     -Fatigue

 *Onset symptoms are gradual

 *Typical Duration is 7-10 days

    

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19

1. Common Symptoms

      -Fever

      -Dry Cough

      -Shortness of Breath

      -Chest Discomfort

      -Fatigue

      -Congestion or Runny Nose

      -Sore Throat

     -Congestion and Runny Nose

2. Less Common Symptoms

     -Nausea

     -Vomiting

     -Diarrhea

     -Loss of Taste or Smell

  * Onset of symptoms varies

  * Typical Duration is 5-10 days

Flu

1. Common Symptoms

      -Fever

      -Cough 

      -Chest Discomfort

      -Muscle Aches and Pains

      -Headache

      -Fatigue

      -Runny or Stuffy Noses

2. Less Common Symptoms:

      -Sneezing

      -Sore Throat

      -Nausea

      -Diarrhea

 * Onset symptoms are abrupt

  *Typical Duration is 3-7 days

 

 

  COVID Treatment

The COVID-19 preferred treatment is Paxlovid, which is an antiviral medication.  Paxlovid is not safe for everyone, especially if you have kidney disease. Therefore, renal labs may need monitoring when Paxlovid is prescribed. In addition, Paxlovid may have several possible drug interactions with your daily medications.  The provider will ask you to discuss all of your prescriptions and over the counter medications prior to prescribing.

 

Current Recommendations for Paxlovid treatment include:

  • Antiviral treatment is NOT recommended for the individual who is > 50 years of age, not vaccinated, and are not high risk.
  • For all individuals who are considered high risk and vaccinated, treatment IS recommended.
  • Antiviral Treatment is NOT recommended for the individual who tests positive but does not have symptoms.
  • For the individual who does not meet high risk criteria for progression to severe disease, antiviral treatment is NOT recommended.

 

Our Providers Can Prescribe Oral Antiviral Therapy (Paxlovid) if:

1. You have Tested positive recently for COVID 19

2. Have Current Symptoms

3. You fall in a high risk category including:

  •  Age >65
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Lung Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Cardiac Disease
  • Kidney Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • HIV
  • Asthma
  • COPD
  • Brain Disease
  • Immunocompromised

Ways TO Prevent Spread Of Infection

  • Get Vaccinated- Get vaccinated for diseases such as the Flu, COVID-19, and Pneumonia.  Stay up to date on all booster vaccines.
  • Respiratory Etiquette- Avoid touching your face.  Where a mask when sick while out in the public.  Cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of you elbow.
  • Wash hands frequently- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, or use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available,
  • Implement the use of social distancing by maintaining a space of 6 feet or further, especially around sick people, and avoid crowded spaces.