Coronavirus, colds, allergies, strep or flu? Here’s how to tell the difference

Sneezing can signal a variety of health issues such as allergies, the common cold or in some cases coronavirus. So how do you know what ails you? | stock.adobe.com

It’s allergy season and we haven’t exactly cleared flu season yet, but that hasn’t stopped the new coronavirus from spreading throughout the nation and creating a new normal for Americans who are now stuck at home.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, but those symptoms closely resemble other illnesses, as well. So, how do you know if you have coronavirus or something else?

Dr. Maria Granzotti, chief medical officer at Ascension Texas, breaks down the differences between allergies, cold, strep, flu and COVID-19 to put your mind more at ease before going to the doctor.

Allergies

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Red, swollen eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy nose
• Tickle in the throat
• Rarely a fever

Cold

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Aches and pains
• Mild dry cough
• Rarely a fever

High fever can signal the flu, strep throat or coronavirus.

Strep

• Sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Fever

Flu

• Fever is common
• Dry cough
• Quick onset
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Sometimes a runny nose
• Sometimes diarrhea

Coronavirus — COVID-19

• Shortness of breath
• Fever (above 100 degrees)
• Dry cough
• Gradual onset (two to 14 days after onset)
• Sometimes headache
• Sometimes aches and pains
• Mild sneezing
• Sometimes fatigue, but it’s not predominate like the flu
• Diarrhea is rare

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