Here's How To Tell Regular Flu From Covid (According To A Doctor)

Person with a coldAs we head into winter, cases of flu and Covid (including variants like Stratus and Nimbus) are expected to rise.We’ve previously shared how to tell which form of Covid you’re likely to be dealing with if you notice symptoms. But how can you tell Covid from a “regular” flu in the first place? According to Dr Neel Patel from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, telling one apart form the other may be key as the cooler weather settles in. “With [both flu and Covid circulating at higher rates, it’s important to know the difference between a cold and flu, or coronavirus and flu,” he said. “Knowing which illness you might have means you can best treat yourself and protect others.” Here are the different symptoms the doctor usually sees for both: Symptom duration may tell them apart Both flu and Covid share a lot of symptoms, including a fever, headache, chills, a runny nose, tiredness, aching muscles, and a dry cough. “People with flu normally feel very unwell for two or three days and will continue to experience symptoms for around another five days. After that, you may feel tired and run down for a further two or three weeks,” the doctor said. But “People with coronavirus usually begin to show symptoms five to six days after being exposed and symptoms commonly last up to two weeks,” he added.Then, there’s the question of severity. “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 a flu,” Dr Patel said.He added that you should seek immediate medical help if you notice: Difficulty breathing at rest. Confusion. Loss of consciousness or drowsiness. Constant pressure or pain in the chest. Cold, clammy, blue, or pale skin.Loss of speech or movement, regardless of whether it’s flu or Covid.The only way to be sure is to take a Covid testThough the flu and Covid can have different symptoms, Dr Patel said that “The only way to be certain whether you have the flu or coronavirus is to take a Covid test.“While COVID-19 tests are no longer freely available on the NHS, you can still buy lateral flow, PCR and antibody tests online.”Related...4 Steps A Pharmacist Takes To Avoid Catching Cold And FluIs This Water Trick The Key To Preventing Coughs And Colds?Oh Good – We're All Flushing Our Toilets Wrong

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