Cold, Flu or COVID-19 Virus?
This information has been reviewed and approved by Patrick Stendel, MPH, Infection Preventionist (January 2024).
Cold, Flu or COVID-19 virus?
| Symptoms | Cold | Flu | COVID-19 |
| Symptoms begin | Gradually | Abruptly | Within 14 days of exposure |
| Symptoms last | 4 - 10 days | 5 - 7 days | Varies by person |
| Body aches | ✓ | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Chills | Less common | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Dry cough | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Exposure to germs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fatigue/weakness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fever | Less common | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headaches | Less common | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Itchy eyes | — | — | — |
| Nasal congestion | ✓ | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| New loss of taste or smell | Sometimes | Sometimes | ✓ |
| Repeated shaking with chills | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Runny nose | — | — | Sometimes |
| Sneeze | ✓ | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | ✓ | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Shortness of breath | Less common | ✓ | ✓ |
| Symptoms get worse | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Think You Have COVID-19?
- Stay home and away from others.
- Monitor symptoms.
- Rest.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Wash hands with soap and water often.
- Treat symptoms.
Contact your doctor if you have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing or existing chronic disease.
COVID-19 symptoms can be slightly different with the Delta variant.