One key symptom means you could have Covid not a chilly – what that you must know
A GP has shared some crucial advice when it comes to knowing what illness you’re dealing with
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What you need to know about symptoms of a cold vs Covid
- It can be hard to distinguish a cold from Covid as many of the symptoms overlap such as a cough, sore throat, and runny nose. However, there are some “key differences”, according to GP and medical director at Midland Health Doctor Rupa Parmar.
- According to Dr Parmar, a telltale sign of Covid is experiencing shortness of breath. This is less likely to occur if what you have is a cold. “Shortness of breath is rare in both a cold and the flu, but as Covid more so affects the lungs due to inflammation, it is a common symptom,” she told The Mirror.
- Her advice is supported by the NHS website, which lists breathlessness as an indicator of Covid rather than flu or a cold. This symptom is more typically associated with conditions such as Covid or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- The type of cough you have could also help differentiate between illnesses. Dr Parmar explained that with a cold, a cough will be “mild”, while a flu cough will seem “dry”. She said: “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.”
- If you are experiencing a loss of taste or smell it is more likely you have Covid than a cold or flu, although this symptom can sometimes occur with all three.
- If you have Covid, the NHS advises that people should aim to stay at home and minimise contact with others if they or their children exhibit symptoms and either have a high temperature, or feel too unwell to attend work, school, childcare, or carry out regular activities.
- But if you’re still unsure about what is wrong, you should always consult your doctor. Dr Parmar added: “After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to health.”
- READ THE FULL STORY: ‘I’m a GP – this symptom means you have Covid and not a cold or flu’
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