How to Tell the Difference Between Covid and Common Cold. Although you need to know a lot of things it is of great importance that you understand the difference between covid and the common cold, their symptoms and effects. The knowledge of this will help to curb the fear you get whenever you get caught up with a cold. Although this information will be very useful, it does not replace the prescriptions or advice of a doctor.
How to Tell the Difference Between Covid and Common Cold
Covid and the common cold are both very similar diseases. They are caused by viruses and they both have almost the same symptoms. Below is a brief and comprehensive description of them both and their differences.
What is Covid?
COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease that is caused by an infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. It spreads between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters). That is why it is so dangerous. It was the major cause of the 2019 pandemic. Covid is an infection that no one wants to have. It has a very high mortality rate.
How does Covid 19 Spread?
The Covid 19 virus spreads through respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of an uninfected person nearby or be inhaled. The Covid virus can also spread if a person touches a surface or object with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes, although this isn’t considered to be the main way it spreads. Therefore, a lot of measures will have to be put in place to protect yourself from this disease.
How is Covid 19 Treated?
Currently, an antiviral drug called remdesivir. This drug has been approved to treat COVID-19. Some drugs may help reduce the severity of COVID-19 but are not certain cures. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given full authorization to two major COVID-19 vaccines and emergency use authorization to a lot of COVID-19 vaccines.
Common Cold
This is popularly called cold. This is a viral infectious disease of the respiratory system (particularly the upper part). It primarily affects the respiratory mucosa of the nose, throat, sinuses, and the larynx. This is probably the most common disease we have in the United States alone.
What are the Symptoms of Common Cold?
These symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, and coughing, in fact, everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness present in the world today. In the course of just one year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds cases.
Vaccines for Common Cold
Presently, there is no cure for the common cold. Although some treatments can make you feel better while you wait for it to go away on its own. Some of these measures include.
- Getting lots of rest
- Drinking Fluids
- Gargling warm salty water
- Using cough drops or throat sprays
- You can also treat it by taking over the counter pain or cold medicines
Note that, you should not give aspirin to children. Also, cough medicine for children under the age of four.
What’s the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold?
There lie some similarities between the two infections. They are both caused by viruses. The covid infection is caused by SARS – coV – 2 while the common cold is caused by rhinoviruses. They both spread in similar ways and they both have similar signs and symptoms. The table below will show the difference between the both of them.
| Symptom | Covid 19 | Cold |
| Cough | Dry | frequent |
| Muscle aches | frequent | Sometimes |
| Tiredness | frequent | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | frequent | frequent |
| Runny or stuffy nose | frequent | frequent |
| Fever | frequent | Sometimes |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Not present |
| Nausea | Sometimes | Not present |
| Loss of taste or smell | Frequent | Sometimes |
As you can see, these symptoms are almost present for the two infections but not in the same magnitude. Always remember to visit the nearby clinic if you have any of these symptoms.
