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Cold, flu, or COVID-19? Expert guidance from an internal medicine doctor

Getting your flu shot can protect both you and vulnerable individuals around you, doctor says

A woman checks the temperature of a young child. (Henry Ford Health System.)

It can be difficult to determine whether you have a cold, flu or COVID-19, especially this time of year when illnesses begin to ramp up.

Dr. Sean Drake, an internal medicine doctor with Henry Ford Health, said while the flu can make someone very sick, COVID-19 can be more dangerous and is more contagious.

“While the flu may mutate from year to year, this year’s flu is still a cousin to last year’s flu,” Drake said. “That means we have some natural immunity to it, along with effective therapy and vaccines to prevent and treat it.”

We also have vaccines to help protect against COVID-19.

Drake said if you’re showing symptoms or are concerned about contracting any illness, you can take preventative measures like wearing masks in public and frequently washing your hands. These steps will help reduce your chances of contracting COVID-19, as well as the flu, colds and other viruses.

Doctors also advise to get your flu shot this season, as it can protect both you and vulnerable individuals around you.

If you start feeling unwell, pay attention to your symptoms. While the severity of viruses like COVID-19 can vary among individuals, Drake highlighted the most common symptoms associated with COVID-19, influenza, the common cold and allergies:

Allergy symptoms

  • Itchy, watery eyes (a key indicator of allergies)
  • Runny nose
  • Plugged ears
  • Tickle in the back of the throat
  • Sneezing
  • Seasonal symptoms (if you experience the same symptoms every fall and spring, it’s likely allergies rather than COVID-19)

Common cold symptoms

  • Sinus congestion
  • Stuffy nose
  • Post-nasal drip
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • A temperature (around 100 to 101 degrees)

COVID-19 symptoms

  • High fever (around 102 or 103 degrees)
  • Cough (often dry)
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Headache and body aches
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion
  • Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

Flu symptoms

  • High fever (around 102 or 103 degrees)
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy nose
  • Headache and/or body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

The symptoms listed are the most common, but they can differ widely.

“We’ve learned ‘never to say never’ when it comes to COVID-19,” Drake said. “Some people have classic symptoms, some can remain asymptomatic the entire time, some can have mild cases.”

Symptoms for COVID-19 typically appear between two to 14 days after exposure. If you’re concerned about your health, the best course of action is to get tested and self-isolate until you receive your results.

“A combination swab test that goes to the back of the nose can test for both the flu and COVID-19,” Drake said. “It’s the best way to determine your illness.”

If you exhibit symptoms, consult your health care provider about getting tested.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at Henry Ford Health primary care sites. Click or tap here to find a location near you.

To find a Henry Ford Same-Day Care location, visit henryford.com/SameDay or call 1-800-436-7936.


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