What are the Symptoms of COVID, the Flu, and the Common Cold? - Rapid Test

What’s the difference between flu and covid?

Flu and COVID are both respiratory illnesses caused by the spread of various viruses. The flu usually peaks between December and February, and the severity of the flu depends on the season and how the flu vaccine correlates to what circulates.

COVID-19 is not tied to a specific season, but experts believe there will be another COVID wave between October and January.

Although both the flu and COVID can present as asymptomatic, those with the flu typically experience symptoms immediately, between one and four days after infection, whereas those with COVID may experience symptoms two to five days later, or up to 14 days later.

COVID is said to be more contagious than the flu, especially when people are asymptomatic.

While the flu and COVID appear similar at first, post-COVID symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and changes in smell or taste, among others, are unique to the virus and are still being researched.

What are the symptoms of COVID, the flu and the common cold?

The symptoms of any viral infection are similar, though a loss of smell and taste is more common if you have a COVID-19 reaction rather than the flu or a cold. Here are the symptoms:

Symptoms	Cold	COVID	Flu
How soon after exposure symptoms start	1-3 days	2-5 days, but up to 14	1-4 days
Fever	Short fever period	Common	Common
Aches	Common	Common	Common
Chills	No	Common	Sometimes
Fatigue, weakness	Sometimes	Common	Common
Sneezing	Common	Rare	No
Cough	Common (mild)	Common (usually dry)	Common (usually dry)
Stuffy nose	Common	Common	Sometimes
Sore throat	Common	Common	Sometimes
Headache	Rare	Common	Common
Shortness of breath	No	Common	No
Chest tightness/pain	No	Sometimes	No
Loss of taste/smell	Rare	Common	Rare

While it is unclear how COVID-19 and the flu will manifest themselves in the coming months, experts are concerned. This season, on top of another potential COVID surge, could be a particularly bad flu season.