Covid-19 or a simple cold: how to tell the difference?
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In the midst of a global pandemic, the slightest symptom can cause concern about the risk of a Covid-19 infection. According to the climate you are living in, it also signals the return of the common cold. This benign pathology has many manifestations in common with the coronavirus. How to distinguish them?
To reduce the spread of Covid-19, it is recommended to get tested as soon as symptoms such as cough, fever, body aches, fatigue, loss of taste and loss of smell appear. Patients with acute forms may also have severe breathing difficulties and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Pending the test result, he also advises to isolate yourself and limit contact with the outside world.
Covid-19: what is the difference with a mild cold?
The common cold is also prevalent. Runny nose, sneezing, fever, sore throat; These manifestations are similar to those of the coronavirus and it can be difficult to differentiate them.
A mild cough or runny nose can cause agitation in patients, so they see a health professional to calm down and undergo a screening test.
When Should You Get Tested?
In the case of children, for doctors a simple sore throat does not justify isolation: for symptoms to justify transitory exclusion from the community, and potentially a CRP, it must include at least one of the following 3 elements: fever ( greater than 38 °, respiratory distress, significant digestive disorders (several watery stools and at least two vomits) ".
Questioned by Europa 1, Dr. Bertrand Boruchot also wants to avoid congestion of laboratories or detection centers.
"When the patient can really have a runny nose, minimal cough, without associated symptoms, without fever, and is very well, we tend to think that we can wait a day, two days and see how it evolves", clarifies the doctor. When his patient exhibits various Covid-19 symptoms correlated with a high fever, Bertrand Boruchot orders a screening test and recommends that he isolate himself at home.
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