The corona virus has spread worldwide – stronger in some countries, weaker in some. But especially at the beginning of the flu and cold season, many wonder how well the virus can actually be distinguished from cold and flu viruses. After all, the respiratory tract is often affected in all three diseases. We explain which signs and symptoms you should look out for!
Table of Contents
Coronavirus, cold and flu – the symptoms and differences
Coronavirus
The most common symptoms according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) :
- cough (45%)
- fever (38%)
- runny nose (20%)
- Disorders of the sense of smell and/or taste (15%)
- Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) (3%)
- Sore throat
- shortness of breath
- headache and body aches
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
- skin rash
- lymph node swelling
- Apathy
- conjunctivitis
- drowsiness, sleepiness (somnolence)
- dizziness
cold
- Runny nose (obstructed nasal breathing, impaired sense of smell, nasal-sounding voice)
- Cough, sore throat, hoarseness
- headache
- sore throat
- chills
- Possibly increased temperature, which only rises slowly
- general feeling of illness
- fatigue
- no gastrointestinal problems
- able to perform again quickly after recovery
Flu
- sudden fever of at least 38.5° C
- Fever usually lasts longer than three days
- severe illness
- Severe muscle and joint pain
- to cough
- sniffles
- possibly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- often persistent poor performance after recovery
The course of the disease of Covid-19
With Covid-19, the symptoms do not start suddenly like with the flu, but increase slowly and remain constant for around ten days. The state of health of those affected also only deteriorates slowly and not within a few hours as with the flu .
>> Also interesting: Suspected corona virus: How to proceed!
The course of corona disease is usually mild, sometimes fatal.
Since the viruses mainly multiply in the throat area, they are transmitted from there by droplet infection . If the pathogens remain there, the disease is mild. However, if the pathogens spread to the lower respiratory tract, the course is much more severe , known as atypical pneumonia. The consequences are swelling and increased blood flow to the area, as well as fluid accumulation in the lung tissue. The viruses get into the air sacs in the lungs, making it harder to breathe. In the worst case, acute and severe lung failure occurs because gas exchange is impaired and the body can no longer be supplied with sufficient oxygen. In this case, a special ventilation technique (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) is used, in which the blood is enriched with oxygen outside the body and fed back into the bloodstream.
>> Also informative: Coronavirus: Do I belong to the risk group?
Protection against corona, flu and cold viruses
- regular and thorough hand washing
- wearing a protective mask in public spaces
- keeping a minimum distance of 1.5 meters
- regular ventilation in closed rooms. It is best to cross-ventilate for a few minutes to ensure air exchange
Date: October 29, 2020
Author: Christina Liersch
