Find out how to distinguish which of these three diseases you might suffer from and what steps you should take to protect your health and prevent contagion.
The common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 are respiratory diseases with different sets of symptoms, says Dr. Michel Fernando Martínez, head of the TecSalud Epidemiological Monitoring Unit.
He said that knowing these symptoms is crucial to reducing the number of infections by COVID-19.
“It’s very important to pay attention to our symptoms, as the key to preventing the rapid spread of COVID-19 is prompt detection and self-isolation if necessary,” he says.
This infectious disease specialist shared the main differences between these diseases.
TYPICAL SYMPTOMS
COVID-19: fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Influenza: fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, as well as headaches, a sore throat, and muscular pain.
Common cold: nasal congestion, watery eyes, and headaches; generally without fever.
“The new coronavirus has a preference for the lower respiratory tract, just like influenza,” says the doctor.
He mentions that the common cold displays symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, and generally doesn’t cause a fever.
“A patient with a cold doesn’t have the cough or shortness of breath we’re seeing with COVID-19,” the doctor explains.
MANIFESTATION TIME
Dr. Martínez emphasizes that the time in which the disease appears is a distinguishing characteristic.
COVID-19: gradual (on average, 5 days to manifest) with variable intensity.
Influenza: abruptly (one day to the next) and intense.
Common cold: progressively.
“One thing different about influenza, which helps us to tell it from a conventional cold, is the abruptness of its symptoms: the patient feels terrible from one day to the next and has intense symptoms.
“In the case of COVID-19, it’s more gradual: it starts with a fever, then a cough, and finally shortness of breath.”
The doctor said that in the case of COVID-19 in China, it was observed that it took 5 days from the patient starting to feel bad and then seeking medical attention.
“With the common cold, the onset of symptoms is more insidious. There’s a similar progression (of symptoms) which aren’t so serious. They don’t knock patients sideways, and patients don’t display such a high fever or have greater respiratory symptoms.”
SEASONALITY
Another difference between influenza and COVID-19 has to do with the dates on which they manifest.
“For instance, we’ve been observing cases of influenza since November, and you have to remember that COVID-19 started (for the first time) at the end of December (in China).
“So, we estimate that there could be a lag between the cases of influenza that are falling while we’re seeing an increase in cases of COVID-19.”
In light of this, Dr. Martínez recalled that we’re in a season in which the influenza virus continues to circulate in the population.
The specialist recommended constant hand-washing with soap and water for at least 40 to 60 seconds or using alcohol-based antibacterial gel with 70% alcohol; covering your mouth with the crook of your arm or a handkerchief when coughing; and touching your face as little as possible.
“We’re all responsible for our health, so I urge you to follow the basic preventive measures to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19,” he added.
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