As winter tightens its grip, distinguishing between seasonal illnesses becomes increasingly challenging for Britons. Health experts have identified one crucial symptom that could help determine whether you're suffering from Covid-19 rather than a common cold or influenza.
The Telltale Sign: Shortness of Breath
According to NHS guidance and UK Health Security Agency data, shortness of breath stands out as a distinctive Covid-19 symptom not typically associated with colds or flu. While all three illnesses share many common characteristics, this particular breathing difficulty appears more frequently in Covid cases and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
The NHS explicitly lists shortness of breath as a Covid symptom but doesn't include it among typical flu or cold indicators. This differentiation could prove vital for individuals trying to identify their illness during the winter months when all three conditions circulate widely.
Symptom Comparison: Covid, Flu and Cold
Covid-19 symptoms encompass a wide range according to NHS guidance. These include a high temperature or chills, a new continuous cough, loss or change to sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and feeling sick or being sick.
Flu symptoms typically develop very quickly and may feature a sudden high temperature, aching body, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain, and feeling sick or being sick. The NHS notes that children might also experience ear pain and appear less active.
Common cold symptoms primarily involve a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, hoarse voice, cough, and general tiredness and malaise. Occasionally, cold sufferers might experience a high temperature, aching muscles, loss of taste and smell, or pressure in their ears and face.
When to Seek Medical Attention
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has issued warnings that adults experiencing difficulty breathing or shortness of breath should seek medical attention immediately. This appears among several emergency warning signs of flu complications, highlighting that while shortness of breath isn't typical of initial flu infection, it can develop if the illness worsens and leads to conditions like pneumonia.
Medical professionals emphasise that most people with Covid-19 feel better within a few weeks, though recovery can take longer for some individuals. For vulnerable groups, Covid can represent a more serious illness with symptoms lasting significantly longer.
Health authorities continue to recommend vaccination against both Covid and flu as winter approaches, particularly for those at higher risk of complications from respiratory illnesses.
