(NEXSTAR) — Three respiratory illnesses, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, continue to afflict hundreds of thousands of Americans every day, making it hard to tell what’s wrong when you feel a cough.
The three viruses cause a disease with overlapping symptoms. A chart created by Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC compares the most common differences at a glance.
Although cough and fever are common to all three, there are other ways the viruses differ. Sneezing is common with RSV, occurs occasionally with COVID-19 and rarely with the flu, according to the hospital’s symptom chart. On the other hand, headaches and body aches are rare with RSV, occur occasionally with COVID-19, and are common with influenza.
Another thing to watch out for is “symptom onset,” says the Children’s National. Although both COVID-19 and RSV start out gradually and then escalate, the flu usually hits hard and fast.
With RSV, symptoms often resolve within regarding a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms last longer with the flu, around 1-2 weeks, and may last longer with COVID-19.
The severity of symptoms in all three conditions varies from person to person.
Another key difference: There are vaccines for influenza and COVID-19, but there is no vaccine for RSV — although researchers are working on one.
Although reviewing symptoms is a good place to start, doctors recommend testing to help inform next steps.
“For flu and COVID, we have antivirals that work if taken soon following symptoms appear,” said Dr. Andrew Pecos, virologist and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “So especially if you’re in a high-risk group, that’s good to know. … These are important tools that we really need to continue to use. »
