A certain type of cough could determine whether you are suffering from Covid or the flu this winter. According to the NHS, there are ways to tell them apart.
During the colder months, we tend to see more cases of certain illnesses.
The common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and the flu all become more prevalent.
This is due to the fact that some viruses thrive in cooler temperatures and can spread more easily as we spend more time indoors with other people.
However, due to some of their overlapping symptoms, it can be hard to know exactly what is wrong.
For example, the NHS website lists the following as both signs of Covid and flu:
- A high temperature
- A sore throat
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A headache
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick
- A loss of appetite
Both illnesses can also cause a cough. But this is where you might be able to distinguish one from another.
If you have the flu, the NHS says you might experience a “dry” cough. This could “come on very quickly”.
In comparison, with Covid you could have a “new, continuous cough”. The NHS explains: “This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.”
This advice is backed by Doctor Rupa Parmar, a GP and medical director at Midland Health. Speaking previously to The Mirror, she said: “With a cold, a cough will be mild, while a flu cough will seem dry.
“With Covid, a cough will be dry and continuous, and many people will cough for more than an hour or have three or more coughing episodes within a day.”
Other ways to distinguish between Covid and flu
It is not just the type of cough you have that could help you distinguish between the illnesses. A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste is a commonly reported symptom with Covid.
However, this is less likely to occur with flu. Shortness of breath is also listed by the NHS as a Covid symptom, but not one of flu – although this can occur with flu if it becomes serious.
What to do if you have symptoms
In the case of both Covid and the flu, the NHS advises you to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either:
- Have a high temperature
- Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities
It says: “You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.” You should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- You’re worried about your or a child’s COVID-19 symptoms or are not sure what to do
- The symptoms are getting worse or are not getting better
- You or a child have other signs of illness, such as a rash, loss of appetite, or feeling weak
- You or a child have a high temperature that last five days or more or does not come down with paracetamol
- A child under three months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
- A child three to six months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
- You or your child have symptoms of flu and you’re 65 or over, you’re pregnant, you have a long-term medical condition, you have a weakened immune system, or your symptoms do not improve after seven days
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
