We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and now that Fall is here, flu, cold, and seasonal allergies have been thrown into the mix.  With all of these illnesses sharing very similar symptoms, it can be hard to know whether your headache and runny nose stems from allergies or is a sign of a spreadable virus.

COVID-19, flu, and the common cold are all respiratory illnesses transmittable from person to person. However, COVID-19 has proven to be more contagious than flu and the common cold and in general leads to more serious illnesses in some individuals, especially older people and those with underlying health conditions.

Here are some of the symptoms that all 3 viruses can share:

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Sore Throat
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Body Aches
• Headache

Typically, shortness of breath isn’t a symptom of the common cold but can be a flu or COVID-19 symptom.

A symptom that is distinct to COVID-19 but not present in all cases is loss of taste or smell.

As you may be able to tell, trying to determine which virus you may or may not have is more or less of a guessing game when just basing your diagnosis on symptoms present, which is why it’s important to seek medical care when any of these symptoms arise.

A medical provider can evaluate your symptoms and test for these specific viruses to  determine the best course of treatment for your illness.

Next Level Urgent Care offers walk-in visits or visits by appointment for COVID-19 and flu testing.  If you would like to make an appointment or get in line for your nearest clinic location, text NLUCAPP to 313131 to download our app today!