Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a tickle in your throat immediately signals a red flag. But what is the difference between a cold, the flu, and COVID-19? Read on to find out!

What is a cold?

The common cold is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. There are many different viruses that can cause a cold and they can usually spread easily from person to person.

The symptoms of a cold are usually mild and include a tickle in your throat, a runny/stuffy nose, and sneezing. If there is a fever, it’s usually not very high.

There are no tests or treatment for the common cold. Usually it just needs to run its course.

What is the flu?

The flu is also a respiratory illness, but it is caused by the influenza virus. The influenza virus can easily spread from person to person.

The common symptoms of the flu are a sudden fever, chills, and body aches. Usually there is also a sore throat, runny nose, and cough. People who get the flu can feel miserable, tired, and don’t have much of an appetite.

A doctor can do a test to check if you have the flu.

Most people require plenty of fluids and rest to recover from the flu. In some cases, an antiviral medication may be prescribed by your doctor to help shorten the illness. In rare cases, people get very ill and need to be treated in the hospital.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the COVID-19 virus. Like the viruses that cause flus and colds, COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person.

The symptoms of COVID-19 vary in different people. Some may not have any symptoms and some have very severe flu-like symptoms. One symptom that happens more commonly in COVID-19 is loss of taste or smell.

How can I tell if I have a cold, flu, or COVID-19?

Although there are many similar symptoms, there is some slight variation between symptoms of the cold, flu, and COVID-19. The summary table below can help you better understand these differences.

How can you avoid getting sick?

If possible, make sure you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and annually vaccinated against the flu.

You can also use some precautions to help reduce your risk of infection from the viruses that can make you sick. This includes:

• Avoiding close contact with anyone outside your household
• Wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces or crowded outdoor spaces
• Washing your hands often with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based sanitizer
• Avoiding crowded indoor spaces
• Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean and disinfect areas that are touched often like doorknobs and light switches

Can someone at Teston Medical help me?

Of course! Schedule a doctor’s appointment at our walk in facility in Vaughan and one of our team members will be happy to help. Our licensed Canadian physicians can help diagnose and can also provide prescriptions.