Corona, flu or cold: distinguish between symptoms and interpret them correctly – autumn is here, winter is just around the corner. It is the typical time when the viruses have particularly favorable conditions due to the low temperatures and infect people. The dry heating air, which severely irritates our mucous membranes, does the rest.
That’s why we often struggle with a cold in autumn and winter, or lie completely flat because we’ve caught the flu. In addition, of course, there is also the corona virus, which is still rampant in Germany with the omicron variant and its subtypes such as BA.4 and BA.5. In this regard, many people are currently asking themselves “When do I have what?” as soon as your nose runs, you cough or your throat scratches?
Nasty cold, flu or Corona?
Is it just a nasty cold, flu or Corona? In an interview with “RTL“ explained general practitioner and medical journalist Dr. Christoph Specht now that, for example, the symptoms between a normal cold and an infection with the omicron variant such as BA.5 are almost indistinguishable. dr Christoph Specht: “Delta had clearer symptoms, such as the loss of her sense of smell.
The symptoms of an infection with an omicron subtype, i.e. BA.5 or BA.4, hardly differ from those that occur with a flu-like infection. […] In this respect, the symptoms are also similar. But that’s good! Corona becoming a cold virus is the best thing that can happen to us.”
The most common symptoms
- exhaustion, tiredness
- Body aches, back pain
- Sore throat
- runny nose (including sneezing) and coughing
- headache
Nonetheless, infection with the omicron variant, according to Dr. Woodpecker also “completely different symptoms” occur. These include loss of appetite, gastrointestinal complaints, fever and night sweats. dr But Specht also emphasizes that some people have no symptoms at all.
“A distinction is not possible without a test anyway.”
dr Specht on the difference between influenza and omicron as well as colds: “What works well is the gradation to real influenza. It comes very suddenly and very violently. That’s not usually the case with BA.5, for example.”
If you are unsure regarding the symptoms that arise, you should ultimately get tested. dr Christoph Specht explains: “A distinction is not possible without a test anyway, not even for a doctor. There are no secret investigations.”
Those: rtl.de
