Is your runny nose a symptom of the common cold, or could it be coronavirus? Many bunged-up Brits will be asking themselves this question as the super cold continues to sweep through the population. Here’s what to do if you’re confused about your symptoms.
As the “worst cold ever” rips through the country, many Brits are baffled by whether their symptoms are an unpleasant cold or coronavirus.
Some coronavirus symptoms can be similar to those you would experience with a nasty cold. So, how can you tell the difference between a cold and coronavirus?
If you have any symptoms you think could be coronavirus, it’s worth doing a test to check.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, and the only accurate way to rule out Covid is with a test.
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You must self-isolate as soon as you develop symptoms until you’ve had a test to confirm whether you are positive Covid.
If you have Covid, you will then need to self-isolate for 10 days or until you test negative.
Even if you have no symptoms, regular testing with lateral flow tests is encouraged. If you have symptoms you should arrange a PCR test.
Is a phlegmy cough a sign of Covid?
A new and persistent cough is considered one of the main symptoms of coronavirus, and sometimes it can be accompanied with coughing up phlegm.
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, the most common symptoms of Covid are:
- Headache
- Runny Nose
- Sore Throat
- Fever
- Persistent cough
Loss of smell still affects unvaccinated people if they get Covid, but it’s not in the top five symptoms.
The Zoe Covid Study blog says: “If you feel newly unwell, especially if you’re suffering from any of the common COVID symptoms, you should stay home and get a COVID test, even if you’ve been vaccinated.
“This is particularly important if you notice any changes to your sense of taste or smell.
“Our data shows that loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of taste is still one of the most important predictors of testing positive for COVID-19 rather than a regular cold, so it’s an important symptom to look out for, whether you’ve been vaccinated or not.”