What are the

Feeling Sick?

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have symptoms that aren&#;t better explained by another cause.

Are you interested in learning more about film type resistor? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?

COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu have many similar symptoms. Find out about some of the important differences between these illnesses.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

If you have symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it's important that you contact your health care professional right away for medical advice. But COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu, also called influenza, cause many similar symptoms. So how can you tell if you have COVID-19?

Understand the differences in symptoms that these illnesses cause. And find out how these illnesses spread, are treated and can be prevented.

What is COVID-19, how does it spread and how is it treated?

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled. The virus also can spread if you touch a surface or object with the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. But this risk is low.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a fever, a cough and tiredness. But there are many other possible symptoms.

Many people with COVID-19 may have mild illness and can be treated with supportive care. Currently, a few medicines have been approved to treat COVID-19. No cure is available for COVID-19. Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections such as COVID-19. Researchers are testing a variety of possible treatments.

What's the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold?

Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while the common cold is most often caused by rhinoviruses. All of these viruses spread in similar ways and cause many of the same symptoms. However, there are a few differences.

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold?

Symptom COVID-19 Cold Headache Usually Rare Cough Usually (dry) Usually Muscle aches Usually Sometimes Tiredness Usually Sometimes Sneezing Rarely Usually Sore throat Usually Usually Runny or stuffy nose Usually Usually Fever Usually Sometimes Diarrhea Sometimes Never Nausea or vomiting Sometimes Never New loss of taste or smell Usually (early &#; often without a runny or stuffy nose) Sometimes (especially with a stuffy nose)

COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

There's no cure for the common cold. Treatment may include pain relievers and cold remedies available without a prescription, such as decongestants. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually harmless. Most people recover from a common cold in 3 to 10 days. But some colds may last as long as two or three weeks.

What's the difference between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies?

Unlike COVID-19, seasonal allergies aren't caused by a virus. Seasonal allergies are immune system responses triggered by exposure to allergens, such as seasonal tree or grass pollens.

COVID-19 and seasonal allergies cause many of the same symptoms. However, there are some differences.

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or seasonal allergies?

Symptom COVID-19 Allergy Headache Usually Rare Cough Usually (dry) Sometimes Fever Usually Never Muscle aches Usually Never Tiredness Usually Sometimes Itchy nose, eyes, mouth or inner ear Never Usually Sneezing Rarely Usually Sore throat Usually Rarely Runny or stuffy nose Usually Usually Pink eye (conjunctivitis) Sometimes Sometimes Nausea or vomiting Sometimes Never Diarrhea Sometimes Never New loss of taste or smell Usually (early &#; often without a runny or stuffy nose) Sometimes

COVID-19 can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. But seasonal allergies don't usually cause these symptoms unless you have a respiratory condition such as asthma that can be triggered by pollen exposure.

Treatment of seasonal allergies may include nonprescription or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, and avoidance of exposure to allergens where possible. Seasonal allergies may last several weeks.

What's the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

COVID-19 and the flu are both contagious respiratory diseases caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The flu is caused by influenza A and B viruses. All of these viruses spread in similar ways.

COVID-19 and the flu cause similar symptoms. The diseases also can cause no symptoms or cause mild or severe symptoms. Because of the similarities, testing may be done to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You also can have both diseases at the same time. However, there are some differences.

Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or the flu?

Symptom COVID-19 Flu Headache Usually Usually Cough Usually (dry) Usually Muscle aches Usually Usually Tiredness Usually Usually Sore throat Usually Usually Runny or stuffy nose Usually Usually Fever Usually Usually Nausea or vomiting Sometimes Sometimes (more common in children) Diarrhea Sometimes Sometimes (more common in children) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Usually Usually New loss of taste or smell Usually (early &#; often without a runny or stuffy nose) Rarely

COVID-19 symptoms generally appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Flu symptoms usually appear about 1 to 4 days after exposure to an influenza virus.

COVID-19 can cause more-serious illnesses in some people than can the flu. Also, COVID-19 can cause different complications from those of the flu, such as blood clots, post-COVID conditions and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

There are a few antiviral treatments for COVID-19. There are several antiviral drugs that can be used to treat the flu.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Wirewound Resistors for High-Power Applications.

Also, you can get an annual flu vaccine to help reduce your risk of the flu. The flu vaccine also can reduce the severity of the flu and the risk of serious complications. The vaccine can be given as a shot or as a nasal spray.

For COVID-19, you can get a - COVID-19 vaccine to reduce the risk of getting seriously ill with COVID-19.

How can you avoid getting COVID-19, a cold and the flu?

The COVID-19 vaccine can lower the risk of death or serious illness caused by COVID-19. It lowers your risk and lowers the risk that you may spread it to people around you. The CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older.

The COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are:

• - Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, available for people age 6 months and older.
• - Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, available for people age 6 months and older.
• - Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, available for people age 12 years and older.

Get a flu vaccine too. Getting an annual flu vaccine will lower your risk of getting the flu. It can be given as a shot or as a nasal spray. The flu vaccine also lowers the chance you'll have a serious case of flu. It also lowers the risk of serious complications.

You can lower your risk of infection from the viruses that cause the common cold, flu and COVID-19 by following some standard safety measures.

Research suggests that following these measures, such as physical distancing and wearing a face mask, might have helped shorten the length of the flu season and lessened the number of people affected in the - flu season.

Follow these standard precautions:

• Get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Keep distance between yourself and others when you're in indoor public spaces. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Keep in mind that some people may have COVID-19 and spread the COVID-19 virus to others even if they don't have symptoms or don't know they have COVID-19.
• Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces if you're in an area with a high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly, fits well and is comfortable.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid crowded indoor spaces and indoor places that have poor air flow, also called ventilation.
• Improve the air flow indoors. Open windows. Turn on fans to direct air out of windows. If you can't open windows, consider using air filters. And turn on exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen. You also might consider a portable air cleaner.
• Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Wash your hands right away.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, towels, bedding and other household items if you're sick.
• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters.
• Stay home from work, school and public areas and stay in isolation at home if you're sick, unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-hailing services if you're sick.

How can you prevent allergies?

The best way to prevent seasonal allergies is to avoid your known triggers. If you're allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and doors closed when there's a lot of pollen in the air.

Wearing a face mask also might provide some protection against seasonal allergies. Masks can prevent you from inhaling some larger pollen particles. However, smaller pollen particles can get through a mask. It's also important to wash your mask after each use since a mask might carry pollen particles.

If you think you might have symptoms of COVID-19, talk to your health care professional. Remember, taking preventive measures can help you stay healthy.

 

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an preview.

Address 1

ErrorEmail field is required

ErrorInclude a valid address

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the .

Thank you for subscribing!

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes

The company is the world’s best Metal Oxide Film Resistor Supplie supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

1. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How to protect yourself & others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Oct. 3, .
2. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How COVID-19 spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html. Accessed Oct. 3, .
3. Noh JY, et al. Social distancing against COVID-19: Implication for the control of influenza. Journal of Korean Medical Science. ; doi:10./jkms..35.e182.
4. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Frequently asked questions. People with seasonal allergies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/faq.html#People-with-Seasonal-Allergies. Accessed Nov. 17, .
5. Frequently asked influenza (flu) questions: - season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season--.htm. Accessed Oct. 3, .
6. AskMayoExpert. COVID-19: Adult. Mayo Clinic; .
7. Influenza (flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm. Accessed Oct. 3, .
8. DeShazo RD, et al. Allergic rhinitis: Clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, .
9. DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, .
10. Similarities and differences between flu and COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, .
11. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Diagnosis and clinical features. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, .
12. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 19, .
13. Marshall WF III (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 20, .
14. Butowt R, et al. Anosmia in COVID-19: Underlying mechanisms and assessment of an olfactory route to brain infection. Neuroscientist. doi:10./.
15. DeSimone DC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Oct. 4, .
16. Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Oct. 23, .
17. Use and care of masks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html. Accessed Oct. 3, .
18. COVID-19 community levels. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/science/community-levels.html. Accessed June 19, .
19. Benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html. Accessed Oct. 23, .
20. COVID-19 treatments and medications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html. Accessed Oct. 23, .

See more In-depth