Dr Hilary says we must 'build up immunity to colds'
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Is your runny nose a symptom of the common cold, or could it be coronavirus? Many bunged-up Brits will be asking themselves this question as the super cold continues to sweep through the population. Here’s what to do if you’re confused about your symptoms.
As the “worst cold ever” rips through the country, many Brits are baffled by whether their symptoms are an unpleasant cold or coronavirus.
Some coronavirus symptoms can be similar to those you would experience with a nasty cold. So, how can you tell the difference between a cold and coronavirus?
If you have any symptoms you think could be coronavirus, it’s worth doing a test to check.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, and the only accurate way to rule out Covid is with a test.
You must self-isolate as soon as you develop symptoms until you’ve had a test to confirm whether you are positive Covid.
If you have Covid, you will then need to self-isolate for 10 days or until you test negative.
Even if you have no symptoms, regular testing with lateral flow tests is encouraged. If you have symptoms you should arrange a PCR test.
Is a phlegmy cough a sign of Covid?
A new and persistent cough is considered one of the main symptoms of coronavirus, and sometimes it can be accompanied with coughing up phlegm.
46 percent of adults with coronavirus have a cough.
Coronavirus coughs are normally a dry cough accompanied by a sore throat, but that doesn’t mean there is zero chance of phlegm.
Although mucus is most commonly associated with a cold, if you have Covid and are also suffering with a bacterial infection, you may well cough up yellow or green phlegm.
But what symptoms could be either common cold or coronavirus?
Unfortunately, Covid shares many symptoms with the common cold: especially if you are fully vaccinated.
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What are the symptoms of a common cold?
The NHS describes the symptoms of a cold as:
- A blocked or runny nose
- A sore throat
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Coughs
- Sneezing
- A raised temperature
- Pressure in your ears and face
- Loss of taste and smell
According to the symptom-tracking study Zoe, the most common symptoms of coronavirus for those who have been double-jabbed are:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell (anosmia)
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, the most common symptoms of Covid are:
- Headache
- Runny Nose
- Sore Throat
- Fever
- Persistent cough
Loss of smell still affects unvaccinated people if they get Covid, but it’s not in the top five symptoms.
The Zoe Covid Study blog says: “If you feel newly unwell, especially if you’re suffering from any of the common COVID symptoms, you should stay home and get a COVID test, even if you’ve been vaccinated.
“This is particularly important if you notice any changes to your sense of taste or smell.
“Our data shows that loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of taste is still one of the most important predictors of testing positive for COVID-19 rather than a regular cold, so it’s an important symptom to look out for, whether you’ve been vaccinated or not.”
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