What Am I Sick With?

Flu Season 2021 - 2022

Understand the Differences Between the Common Cold, Stomach Viruses, the Flu and COVID-19

Select from options below to see how COVID-19 symptoms compare with influenza (the flu), the common cold and stomach viruses or download the "What Am I Sick With?" symptom comparison table.

COVID-19

Description: Caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can be mild to severe and generally appear two to 14 days after exposure.

SYMPTOMS	COVID-19
Fever	Common, but not always present.
Loss of Taste or Smell	Yes
Headache	Common
Muscle Aches	Common
Tiredness/Weakness	Common
Extreme Exhaustion	Common
Sinus Congestion	Common
Sneezing	No
Sore Throat	Common (often scratchy)
Cough	Common (usually dry)
Vomiting/Diarrhea	Sometimes

Because COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose which condition you have based on your symptoms alone. Testing may be done to see if you have COVID-19 or the flu. You can also have both diseases at the same time.

Flu

Description: Influenza is caused by influenza A and B viruses. Flu symptoms usually appear about one to four days after exposure. Symptoms come on suddenly and primarily affect the lungs and sinuses.

SYMPTOMS	FLU
Fever	Usually 102°F, but can rise to 104°F and usually lasts 3 to 4 days.
Loss of Taste or Smell	Rare
Headache	Sudden onset, can be severe
Muscle Aches	Usual, often severe
Tiredness/Weakness	Can last 2 or more weeks.
Extreme Exhaustion	Sudden onset, can be severe
Sinus Congestion	Sometimes
Sneezing	Sometimes
Sore Throat	Sometimes
Cough	Often, can become severe
Vomiting/Diarrhea	Sometimes, especially in children.

Cold

Description: Also referred to as a head-cold or upper respiratory infection. Usually comes on gradually.

SYMPTOMS	COLD
Fever	Rare in adults and older children, but can be as high as 102°F in infants and small children.
Loss of Taste or Smell	Sometimes: due to stuffy nose.
Headache	Rare
Muscle Aches	Mild
Tiredness/Weakness	Mild
Extreme Exhaustion	Sometimes
Sinus Congestion	Often
Sneezing	Often
Sore Throat	Often
Cough	Mild, hacking
Vomiting/Diarrhea	Sometimes

Stomach Virus

Description: Sometimes misnamed “stomach flu.” * Usually caused by a virus, often norovirus. Also called gastroenteritis. Usually comes on suddenly.

SYMPTOMS	STOMACH VIRUS
Fever	Slight, rare
Loss of Taste or Smell	Never
Headache	Sometimes
Muscle Aches	Sometimes
Tiredness/Weakness	Sometimes
Extreme Exhaustion	No
Sinus Congestion	No
Sneezing	No
Sore Throat	No
Cough	No
Vomiting/Diarrhea	Yes

*This is not a form of influenza virus nor can the influenza vaccine protect against it.

Content adapted from materials produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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What Am I Sick With?

Understand the Differences Between the Common Cold, Stomach Viruses, the Flu and COVID-19

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