Cold, Flu, or COVID? How to Tell the Difference

Runny nose, cough, fever—sound familiar? Every year, cold and flu season brings a wave of sniffles, sore throats, and sick days. But now that COVID-19 is part of the mix, telling these illnesses apart can feel overwhelming. They share a lot of similar symptoms, yet they’re caused by different viruses and often require different approaches.

At Care First, we want to make it easier for you to know when to rest at home, when to see urgent care, and when to get tested. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences.

The Common Cold

The “everyday” cold is usually mild, but it can still make you feel miserable for a few days.

Typical symptoms include:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Mild fatigue or body aches

• Occasional cough

  
  

Key point: Colds rarely cause high fever or severe symptoms. Most people recover within 7–10 days with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter relief.

The Flu (Influenza)

The flu tends to hit harder and faster than a cold. It’s not something you can usually “push through.”

Typical symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of fever, chills, or sweats

• Headache and body aches

• Fatigue that can be extreme

• Cough, sore throat, runny nose

• Sometimes nausea or diarrhea (more common in kids)

  
  

Key point: Flu symptoms are more intense than a cold and often last longer. Some cases may lead to complications like pneumonia—especially in children, older adults, or those with chronic health conditions.

COVID-19

COVID symptoms overlap with both cold and flu, but it can present differently from person to person.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Loss of taste or smell (though less common in recent variants)

• Fatigue, body aches, headache

• Sore throat, runny nose, congestion

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Key point: Because symptoms vary so widely—and can look just like a cold or flu—the only way to know for sure if it’s COVID is through testing.

Quick Comparison Chart

Symptom	Cold	Flu	COVID-19
Onset of symptoms	Gradual	Sudden	Varies
Fever	Rare	Common (high)	Common
Fatigue	Mild	Severe	Moderate–Severe
Loss of taste/smell	Rare	Rare	Sometimes
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes	Sometimes

When to Seek Medical Care

No matter what you think it might be, seek urgent care or ER attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest pain or pressure

• High fever that doesn’t improve

• Severe dehydration

• Confusion or trouble staying awake

What This Means For You

Colds, flu, and COVID may look similar, but they’re not identical. If you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms, testing is the safest way to know—and it helps you get the right treatment faster.

At Care First, we’re here to provide quick testing, accurate diagnosis, and the care you need to recover. Whether it’s a simple cold or something more, we’ll help you feel better faster.

👉 Feeling sick? Walk into our urgent care today—no appointment needed.