How do I know if I have a cold, the flu or COVID?

The viruses that cause colds, the flu and COVID-19 are spread the same way -- through droplets from the nose and mouth of infected people. And they can all be spread before a person realizes they're infected.

The time varies for when someone with any of the illnesses will start feeling sick. Some people infected with the coronavirus don't experience any symptoms, but it's still possible for them to spread it.

Cough, fever, tiredness and muscle aches are common to both the flu and COVID-19. Symptoms specific to COVID-19 include the loss of taste or smell.


Covid Symptoms:
Most common symptoms:
* Fever
* Cough
* Tiredness
* Loss of taste or smell

Less common symptoms:
* Sore throat
* Headache
* Aches and pains
* Diarrhoea
* A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
* Red or irritated eyes

Serious symptoms:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Loss of speech or mobility, or confusion
* Chest pain

Common Cold Symptoms
Common colds, meanwhile, tend to be milder with symptoms including a stuffy nose and sore throat. Fevers are more common with the flu.

Despite some false portrayals online, the viruses have not merged to create a new illness. But it's possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which some are calling "flurona.''

The overlapping symptoms of both COVID-19 and the flu (flurona) include:
*Fever and chills
*Fatigue
*Cough
*Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
*Sore throat
*Muscle pain and body aches
*Headache
*Vomiting and diarrhea
* Change in or loss of taste or smell (although, this is more common with COVID-19)

A co-infection of any kind can be severe or worsen your symptoms altogether.

If you are still not sure whether you have have a cold, flu or COVID-19, testing is the best way to determine the correct illnesses.

With many similar symptoms caused by the three virus types, testing remains the best option to determine which one you may have. At-home tests for flu aren't as widely available as those for COVID-19, but some pharmacies offer testing for both viruses at the same time.