Many of us are often suffering from fever, cough, chills, body aches, etc. almost several times a year.  In most cases, these symptoms are caused by common colds and flues. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has affected millions of human populations around the world. Some symptoms of this deadly disease also match with colds and flues. If some of those common symptoms are found in a human body, it becomes quite difficult for even health professionals to understand whether that individual has caught cold or flu or COVID-19 without any blood test. However, in the current situation, the health service has been experiencing huge pressure in many countries including Bangladesh. Read this article to better understand the signs, and symptoms of COVID-19, cold, and flue.

COVID-19 or Coronavirus 2019 is spreading rapidly worldwide. This new strain of coronavirus hasn’t been found in humans ever before the last months of 2019. There are four other strains of coronavirus. But those infections are nearly common causing mild symptoms like the common cold. However, the newly discovered strain COVID-19 is capable of causing severe sickness in certain human groups. For instance, people with a history of heart disease, diabetes, Pneumonia, lung disease, etc, or other kinds of severe health conditions appear to be at higher risk of getting seriously ill by COVID-19 disease. The older people are the worst victim of the Corona Virus 2019 in different countries around the world.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

- Fever

- Chills

- Tiredness (occasionally)

- Sore throat (occasionally)

- Cough (generally dry)

- Headaches (occasionally)

- Difficulty in breathing or Shortness of breath 

- Body pains and Aches (occasionally)

The symptoms of corona virus (COVID-19) usually range from mild to severe. Remember that an individual affected by COVID-19 rarely experiences the upper respiratory symptoms, such as runny nose and/or sinus congestion.

Read: How to Know Whether You Are Infected by Coronavirus?

Individuals who have recently traveled abroad where the COVID-19 outbreak has occurred need to consult health professionals if they experience the above-mentioned symptoms. People who have got at close contact with any COVID-19 patient should also become concerned about COVID-19 if they have those symptoms. Check your symptoms through Bangladesh COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool.

Symptoms of Cold

During the season change periods, many people tend to catch cold. The symptoms of common colds are usually mild compared to viral flues. You can check the following symptoms to understand whether you are suffering from a typical cold.

- Runny Nose

- Stuffy nose

- Sore throat

- Cough (mild)

- Sneezing

- Fatigue (occasionally)

- Watery eyes

- Headaches (seldom)

- Body pains and/or Aches

Most of these symptoms are actually caused due to the preventive actions of the immune system of a human body against the invader infection. The immune system of a human body is the greatest defense against the cold virus. If you are facing the above-mentioned symptoms, just be patient and help your body to fight back. Then the common cold will eventually go away. Generally, normal colds last from seven to ten days depending on the immune of a human body. The doctor prescribed medications can affect moderately to reduce the cold symptoms.

Symptoms of Flu

Flu is also known as seasonal influenza.  It is a common respiratory viral infection that mostly affects the nasal area, throat area, and lungs area. Check out some common symptoms of the flu:

- Fever

- Fatigue

- Chills

- Body pains and Aches

- Runny nose(occasionally)

- Sore throat (occasionally)

- Stuffy nose (occasionally)

- Cough (generally dry)

- Diarrhea (occasionally in children)

A viral flue can last from five to seven days. Unlike colds or COVID-19, medical treatment can successfully cure seasonal influenza. In most of the cases, people affected by viral flu get well without taking any vaccination. If you are experiencing Flu symptoms, stay home and drink plenty of fluids, take adequate rest. Consult with your doctor for medication to handle the fever. 

Comparison of Symptoms: COVID-19 vs. Cold vs. Flu

 

What can you do to stay safe from COVID-19?

- Corona virus spreads through sneezing, cough, breathing, and touch. Therefore it is advised to stay at home unless you have an emergency.

- Clean your hands with soap and running water (warm or cold) to wash your hands properly for at least 20 seconds. If not possible, use an alcohol-based (60%) hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands.

- After returning home, dispose of your clothes for washing or leave them for drying under the sun as soon as possible.

- While staying outside home maintain a minimum 6-feet of social distancing from other people.

- Try not to touch any part of your face or eyes before cleaning hands.

- Use a tissue while sneezing or coughing. And dispose of the tissue properly.

- And don’t forget to wear a mask while you step outside the home.

These practices will also save you from common colds and viral flues.

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Read: Essential Hygiene Practices to Prevent Coronavirus Contamination.

Also Read: Coronavirus Vs Dengue: Which Can Kill You