Rising numbers of people across the UK are becoming ill with respiratory infections, including Covid-19, colds and flu. But it can often be difficult to know what exactly is causing your symptoms.
Coronavirus dominated our lives for two years, so people are obviously fearful of catching it. However, in recent weeks, many people have been reporting Covid-like symptoms, but when they have tested at home, their results have come back negative for the virus.
It comes as the NHS is braces for a "triple whammy" from the three illnesses over the Christmas period. Hospital admissions for flu have gone up by nearly two thirds in a week, according to the Mirror. The total number of people in private households in the UK testing positive for coronavirus stood at an estimated 1.3 million in the week to December 5, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is up 16% from 1.1 million in the previous week.
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Flu is now “circulating widely” across the country, with a sharp increase in hospital cases last week, particularly among the over-85s and children under five, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In England, the rate of hospital admissions for flu has overtaken those for people with Covid-19 for the first time since the pandemic began, and is now running at a higher level than in any week since the 2017/18 season.
With Covid, the key symptoms are a fever, a cough and tiredness, but these can be caused by other illnesses as well. Medical experts at the Mayo Clinic have offered some guidance on how to work out what's making you ill.
What are the differences between Covid, colds and the flu?
Headaches are common with Covid and flu but are less likely to occur with the common cold. Muscle aches, tiredness, and fevers are also more common with Covid and flu, but can occur with colds as well.
A key indication could be whether or not you are sneezing. This is very common with colds but less likely with Covid and flu. Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting can sometimes occur with Covid and flu but will not happen if you just have a cold.
Covid and flu are very similar to each other, according to the medical experts. That is why it is important to do a test to establish which you have.
Both can be either mild or serious and they spread in similar ways. However, with Covid, coughs tend to be dryer.
The other key difference is that Covid patients will often lose their sense of taste or smell, usually early on before other symptoms develop. This is very uncommon in those with flu.
You can read more about the differences between Covid, colds and flu on the Mayo Clinic website.
How to avoid getting Covid-19, a cold and the flu
The medics at the Mayo Clinic advise that you get vaccinated against Covid and flu, to give yourself the best chance of avoiding the illnesses, or at least not getting as ill with them.
You can also practice simple hygiene methods, such as wearing a face mask in crowded spaces, keeping your distance from others, and washing your hands regularly. And a good diet and sleep pattern will also improve your body's ability to fight infections.
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