How to differentiate Corona Virus (COVID-19)

Earlier today I got a phone call from one of my patients. She said it seemed that she is having Allergies attack right now. After diagnosing all her symptoms, I suggested she consider the drive-through test for CoronaVirus. I am familiar with her physical condition and she is able to defend herself from pollens.

Her phone call reminds me to share with you the difference in symptoms among Allergies, Common Cold, Influenza, and COVID-19. Corona Virus belongs to the category of Influenza, but it is much more severe than the rest of the category.

Assessing your symptoms:

1. Fever:

Seasonal Allergies and Common Cold rarely cause fever.

Influenza causes fever more often, which is also a typical symptom of COVID-19.

2. Chills:

Allergies cause neither fever nor chills. Common Cold generally causes more chills than fever. Influenza or COVID-19 causes more fever and only occasionally slight chills.

3. Cough:

Cough can occur in Allergies, Common Cold, and Influenza. Patients with Allergies occasionally cough. Patients with Common Cold only have slight coughs. Usually, Influenza causes cough and sometimes it can be very severe. Dry cough is one of the chief symptoms of COVID-19.

4. Sneezing:

Sneezing frequently comes with nasal congestion in Allergies. Congestion will be relieved for a while after sneezing for patients with a Common Cold. Influenza, thus COVID - 19, rarely causes sneezing or Nasal congestion.

5. Runny Nose:

Patients with Allergies often have watery, runny noses. Nasal mucus will change between clear or thick intermittently in Common Cold. Patients with Influenza or COVID-19 occasionally have snot.

6. Itching:

The symptoms of Allergies are typically itchy: eyes, nose, throat, ears, etc. Patients with Common Cold and Influenza or COVID-19 will not experience itching.

7. Aches:

Both Common Cold and Influenza usually can cause headaches, sore throat, and body aches. In fact, body aches is one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

8. Congestion:

Nasal congestion will occur in Allergies and Common Cold. Only occasional nasal congestion will take place in Influenza or Covid-19.

9. Chest Tightness:

People with Allergies and Common Cold do not experience serious chest tightness. Chest tightness is more common and severe in Influenza. Shortness of breath is one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

10. Fatigue:

Allergies, Common Cold, and Influenza are all causes of weakness, but the feeling will last longest and be strongest for patients with Influenza. Fatigue is one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

11. Cause:

Patients with Allergies and Common Cold usually can find the cause, whether it is contact with allergens, or catching a cold, etc.

Patients with Influenza or COVID-19 often cannot find the exact cause.

12. Contagiousness:

Allergies and Common Cold do not transmit from one person to another. Influenza is contagious, this explains why you usually cannot find a clear cause. COVID-19 is extremely contagious.

We hope that helping you to look at your symptoms will help you differentiate between Allergies, Common Cold, Influenza, and COVID-19.

We offer Diagnosis Online if you need assistance and evaluating your symptoms.

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