For 18 months, many of us lived in almost isolation - away from offices, not on crowded trains or buses, and not packed like sardines in pubs, clubs or sporting events.
And while Covid caused untold misery and suffering for tens of thousands of people, many people had their most 'healthy' time ever as cases of cold and flu dropped.
As the country unlocks and people mix more freely, many have found themselves with colds again - and people had forgotten how bad they can be and are talking about having the worst cold ever.
Of course, it's vital to check that any symptoms you have - such as coughs and sniffles - are not Covid-related.
People have been sharing their experiences of colds on social media, with some comments including one woman who said: "Not having a cold for over a year has made me forget how awful having a cold is. Feeling so unwell"
Another person said: "I genuinely felt better more quickly when I had ACTUAL Covid!!"
Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP in London, told BBC Newsbeat : "We've actually been seeing a rise in the number of coughs and colds and viral infections.
"We are mixing in a way that we haven't been mixing over the past 18 months."
It's also been an issue for parents when their children feel poorly - leaving them wondering if it's just the normal round of colds that go round when schools return, or if it could be Covid.
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NHS on cold, flu or Covid?
Is it a cold?
- 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
Could it be coronavirus?
If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it could be COVID-19.
Could it be flu?
If it's flu, symptoms will appear quickly and not slowly like a cold
Flu would also affect more than your nose and throat, as is typical with a cold
Flu makes you feel not just unwell, but exhausted and you may not be able to carry on as normal as with a cold
Children and colds and Covid
Dr Andrew Raffles, a consultant paediatrician at The Portland Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK (hcahealthcare.co.uk), says the average child aged between six months and eight years old will have approximately eight colds per year.
He said: “With back-to-school season upon us, it’s important for parents to understand the key differences between common viruses versus Covid-19, so they can reduce the risk of their child spreading it to others.
“With common colds, in most cases children will experience sneezing, a sore throat, and a runny nose. Symptoms generally appear quickly, over a day or so, and are less severe than other viruses and flu.
“Flu and other viruses tend to be accompanied by a high fever of 38.5C or above and persist for four to five days. Your child might experience a loss of appetite, muscle aches, congestion, rashes, headaches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
“Children can catch Covid-19 but are often asymptomatic, or the symptoms tend to be less serious compared to the symptoms experienced by adults. The three main symptoms of Covid-19 include a high temperature, a new continuous cough for more than three days, and a loss of taste and smell. However, recent research suggests headache and fatigue seem to be frequent symptoms in children. If your child has any of these symptoms, it’s crucial you don’t send them to school and they isolate at home. You must also book them a PCR test as soon as possible."
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