Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan tells you how to distinguish between a common cold and COVID-19 and act appropriately.
IMAGE: A swab sample for a COVID-19 test in Jammu, January 23, 2022. Photograph: PTI Photo
| Features |
Cold |
Flu |
COVID-19 |
| Presenting Symptoms |
| Most common |
Running nose, sneezing |
Headache, running nose, fever |
Sore throat, fever, body ache, loss of smell, taste and diarrhoa |
| Less common |
Fever, sore throat |
Sore throat |
|
| 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 may seem 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, which may not be the case for common cold and flu.
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 mutation in the SARS CoV2, the virulence of this omicron is less even though it is highly infectious. While you continue to stay masked up while stepping out, a booster dose may reduce your chances of getting infected.
Dr Karthiyayini Mahadevan is head, wellness and wellbeing at Columbia Pacific Communities.
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
