COVID-19
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
A high temperature, where you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
A new, continuous cough, meaning you are coughing a lot for more than an hour or have 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough it may be worse than usual)
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Sore throat, headache and runny nose - symptoms linked to the Delta variant
COVID-19 tests
You can purchase lateral flow tests to check if you have COVID-19. Some people may still be eligible to order free tests from the government, such as those who care for the elderly or clinically vulnerable patients. You can check your eligibility on the government website here.
If you test positive for COVID-19
Current guidance doesn't require you to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. It is recommended however to try and minimise contact with others if you can. Try to work from home if possible or speak to your employer about what options are available. If you do need to go out, wear a face covering to reduce the chance of spreading the virus. If people are visiting your home, let them know you've tested positive so they can take precautions too.
Like with a cold or flu, over-the-counter products could help to relieve symptoms and discomfort.
Try to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water to avoid getting dehydrated.
Continue to test at home so you know when you're negative for the virus.
Cold
Although catching a cold is certainly unpleasant, the symptoms will generally be milder than flu. While you will feel unwell, you can carry on as normal in most cases. Typically, the symptoms of a cold will develop slowly and affect mainly your nose and throat. These symptoms can include:
Runny or stuffy nose
Mild cough
Sneezing
Aches and pains
Sore throat
Headaches
Using non-prescription medicines will enable you to treat the symptoms of your cold without needing to see a GP. A cold usually lasts between 7 to 10 days. To help yourself to feel better more quickly you should get plenty of rest, keep warm, and drink plenty of water (around 6-8 glasses a day).
Flu
Seasonal influenza (flu) is a common respiratory infection caused by a virus. It affects your nose, throat, and lungs, and symptoms can appear within just a few hours. Flu can often make you feel too exhausted and unwell to go about your normal daily routines. The common symptoms of flu include:
Fever and/or chills
Cough (usually a dry cough)
Fatigue
Aches and pains
Headaches
Sore throat
Feeling or being sick
You can also manage flu at home without going to see your GP. To help yourself to get better, you should rest, keep warm, and drink plenty of water. You can also lower your temperature and treat aches and pains with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
For those over 16, these can be taken alongside each other or spaced apart, but ibuprofen should be taken after food. Make sure you follow the instructions on the label and don’t take more than the recommended dosage. If you still feel you need to take painkillers for more than 3 days, you should see a GP or pharmacist for advice.
Telling the difference
There are many similar symptoms of cold, flu, and COVID-19, so it may be difficult for you to tell the difference.
The one key difference between all three is the shortness of breath associated with COVID-19. Generally, the flu or a cold doesn’t cause a shortness of breath as severe as COVID-19.
A runny nose, facial pain, and a postnasal drip (a feeling of constantly wanting to clear your throat) can be symptoms of the common cold, but have now been linked to the new Delta variant of COVID-19.
The symptoms of flu and COVID-19 can be very similar and without testing, it can be very difficult to distinguish between them. If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 you should stay at home, only leaving to get a test, as above.
For the latest updates and government advice on the coronavirus click here.