How to Tell if it’s a Cold, the Flu, COVID-19 or RSV

Tahoe Daily Tribune ^ | Oct 22, 2023

[nickcarraway]

There’s much to look forward to at the start of winter. The holiday season starts winter off with a bang, while outdoor enthusiasts know their chances to hit the slopes and ski and snowboard are just beginning. Sports fans know January marks the return of the National Football League playoffs, while travelers who need a little winter warmth often designate February as a month to soak up some sun in a faraway locale.

With so much to do each winter, it’s especially problematic when you come down with a cold. However, winter tends to be cold and flu season in many areas, as viruses tend to spread more easily when people spend more time indoors. This winter, people may wonder if their sniffles indicate they have a cold, the flu or a sign of something more serious, such as COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Anyone unsure of what’s behind a cold-like illness is urged to speak with their physician. In addition, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases notes that the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and RSV present some similar symptoms, but also some unique ones. Though each illness is complex, the frequency with which some symptoms present may indicate which issue a person is dealing with. Knowledge of those symptoms and their frequency can help people determine if the culprit behind their winter illness is a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or RSV.

Cold

Aches: Sometimes

Difficulty breathing: Rarely

Fatigue: Sometimes Fever: Rarely

Loss of taste or smell: Rarely

Sore throat: Often

Wheezing: Rarely

Flu

Aches: Often

Difficulty breathing: Rarely

Fatigue: Often

Fever: Often

Loss of taste or smell: Rarely

Sore throat: Sometimes

Wheezing: Rarely

COVID-19

Aches: Sometimes

Difficulty breathing: Often

Fatigue: Often

Fever: Sometimes

Loss of taste or smell: Sometimes

Sore throat: Often

Wheezing: Rarely

RSV

Aches: Rarely

Difficulty breathing: Sometimes

Fatigue: Rarely

Fever: Sometimes

Loss of taste or smell: Rarely

Sore throat: Rarely

Wheezing: Often

Individuals who are concerned by the presence of cold- or flu-like symptoms are urged to speak with their physicians. Though many instances of cold, flu, COVID-19, and RSV will go away without medical intervention, each condition can pose a significant health risk in certain situations.

[markman46]

yes i know it infects children, in my 68 yrs on this earth i have never had RSV, including when i worked in a hospital peds floor.

[Grampa Dave]

If we had RSV, when we were around age two our parents wouldn’t have known what we had, decades ago.

My sister, who is now 82 at age 2 , was put in the hospital (before antibiotics) for two days/nights and recovered.

She never had the flu, any virus or pneumonia after that event. She feels that she had RSV decades ago, and it made her immune to many later viruses from her children.

[markman46]

that is what she had at age 2, looking back my brother might have had it also at age 3 or 4.

my point is i am tired of all the media scare tactics now about the flu, rsv and covid.

saw a commerical everyone was wearing masks for the flu.

[gitmo]

My sister in law is absolutely terrified of COVID. She wears a mask all the time and gets vaxxed whenever she can.

[ChildOfThe60s]

She may very well be your late sister-in-law in the not so distant future

[Grampa Dave]

“saw a commercial everyone was wearing masks for the flu.”

My wife and I have noticed how basically no one is wearing masks in our N. Cal. area: in our busy clinic, her bible study group, me at the DMV, in a busy bank and today in a grocery store or on our street with dozens of walkers.