Difference between covid, flu, Strep A, and common…

Difference between covid, flu, Strep A, and common cold symptoms

Amid winter now being well and truly upon us, many bugs and viruses are rearing their ugly heads, leaving lots of us feeling under the weather.

But with so many illnesses around, it can be tricky to tell them apart. Especially as a number of symptoms, such as runny noses and sore throats, can appear with covid, Strep A, the flu and a cold.

It's important to know what you're dealing with, so you can take the best course of action.

Here are the symptoms to look out for with covid, Strep A, colds and flu, as reported in the Mirror.

Covid

The NHS lists the following symptoms for Covid-19:

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 three 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 nauseous or vomiting

The NHS advises: “Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and either a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities.

“Take extra care to avoid close contact with anyone who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19. You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.”

The ZOE app lists slightly different symptoms as being the most commonly reported. According to ZOE data, the most common physical signs of covid from those who have tested positive for covid are:

a sore throat
a runny nose
a blocked nose
sneezing
a cough without phlegm
a headache
a cough with phlegm
a hoarse voice
muscle aches and pains
an altered sense of smell

ZOE also said: "The previous 'traditional' symptoms, such as loss of smell (anosmia), shortness of breath, and a fever, are much less common these days. In the list of common symptoms, anosmia ranks 14th, and shortness of breath ranks 16th.

"Anosmia used to be a key indicator of Covid-19, but only about 16% of people with the illness now experience it."

Flu (influenza)

NHS lists flu symptoms as follows:

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

Strep A

Strep A cases are at record numbers currently, and although most are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics, in rare cases they can cause serious problems. In that eventuality, it is important to get an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.

Symptoms, according to the NHS, are:

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.

Common cold

Another ailment usually doing the rounds at this time of the year is the common cold. Again, several of the symptoms are associated with other illnesses but it can be treated without a visit to the GP and people should feel better in around a week.

Symptoms include: