With winter now in full swing, it's very common for people to become unwell more than they would in the summer months.
There are plenty of harmless coughs, sneezes and colds going around at the moment, but with more serious illnesses such as Strep A and Covid also circulating, it can be difficult to know when you should be concerned.
The symptoms for Strep A, Covid, the flu, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common cold can all seem pretty similar, but there are a few key differences between each of these illnesses that you should be aware.
To help people who might be worried about themselves or a family member falling ill this Christmas, the NHS has detailed all the symptoms of each of these conditions on its website.
Covid symptoms
Covid cases tend to climb at this time of year thanks to increased socialising. With that in mind, here are some of the most common symptoms:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
These tend to be similar to the symptoms of cold or flu, and the NHS has advised people to stay home and avoid contact with others if they become infected with Covid.
Lateral flow tests aren't free anymore but you can purchase them from pharmacies and retailers either in person or online.
If you think you have Covid but the symptoms don't lift within a few days, it's possible that you might be suffering from the flu instead.
Common cold symptoms
The below symptoms tend to come on gradually and usually disappear themselves in around one or two weeks:
- 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
Adults and children will experience the same symptoms when they have the cold. To prevent catching the bug, people are encouraged to wash their hands frequently and not touch their eyes or nose.
Flu symptoms
Flu tends to go away on its own, but vulnerable people are more at risk of becoming seriously unwell. The main symptoms to look out for are listed below:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms in children are similar, but they also might experience earache and become less active.
To make yourself feel better, the NHS recommends to rest, keep warm, take paracetamol or ibuprofen and drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
Strep A symptoms
Common symptoms of strep A include:
- flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body
- sore throat (strep throat or tonsillitis)
- a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever)
- scabs and sores (impetigo)
- pain and swelling (cellulitis)
- severe muscle aches
- nausea and vomiting
Strep A can usually be treated with a course of antibiotics and is not normally serious. However, it can be more concerning in some cases of invasive group A strep, and hospital treatment may be required.
RSV symptoms
This is an viral illness that can cause problems breathing in children, and can sometimes lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis. Here are the main symptoms to be aware of:
- a runny nose
- decreased appetite
- coughing
- sneezing
- fever
- wheezing
Symptoms tend to appear around four to six days after being infected, and they'll usually appear in stages rather than all at once.
Very young infants will likely only experience irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties. Most childrenwill have had an RSV infection by the age of two, and most cases will clear up within a week or two.
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