How to differentiate between a cold, flu and COVID-19 and step wise action plan for covid treatment
By Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan, Head, Wellness and Wellbeing at Columbia Pacific Communities Features Cold Flu COVID-19 Presenting Symptoms Most common Less common Running nose, sneezing Fever, sore throat Headache, running nose, fever Sore throat Sore throat, fever, body ache, loss of smell, taste and have diarrhoa H/o Contact
By Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan, Head, Wellness and Wellbeing at Columbia Pacific Communities
| Features | Cold | Flu | COVID-19 |
| Presenting Symptoms
Most common
Less common |
Running nose, sneezing
Fever, sore throat |
Headache, running nose, fever
Sore throat |
Sore throat, fever, body ache, loss of smell, taste and have diarrhoa |
| H/o Contact tracing with COVID positive individual either as primary or secondary contact |
Not present |
Not present |
Sometimes present |
| Onset of symptoms with exposure to symptomatic individuals (Cold, sore throat, cough, fever) |
1-3 days |
1-4 days |
2-14 days |
| Symptoms appearing 6 weeks post the second dose of vaccination against COVID |
Possible |
Possible |
Unlikely |
Even though the symptoms are similar, the colonisation of the causative organism makes a difference. In COVID-19 there is a strong colonisation in the nasopharynx, hence bringing in the symptom of loss of smell and taste.
Algorithm to consider for COVID care is:
Symptomatic treatment includes
- Warm sips of fluids
- Saline/Betadine gargling
- Adequate hydration
- Steam inhalation
Precautions
- Avoid crowded places
- Maintain social distancing of 6 feet
- Always wear a mask when stepping out and definitely in indoor spaces.
- Maintain hygiene by frequently washing and sanitising your hand
- Avoid any contact with your eyes, nose and mouth before washing hands when you are outdoors. After returning from outdoors, avoid any contact with your eyes, nose and mouth, until you wash and sanitise your hands.
- Consume a well-balanced diet and engage in adequate physical activities.
As we see the mutation in the SARS CoV2, the virulence of this omicron is less even though it is highly infectious. A booster dose may reduce the chances of getting infected.
