For those who get sick during the fall and winter, the diagnosis could be a toss-up.With the threat of the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and RSV in the mix, it can be tricky to determine the culprit. Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel shared with Fox News Digital that among the four conditions, there is “very much [an] overlap” in symptoms
So how can you spot the difference between a cold, the flu, COVID and RSV?
A cold, typically caused by viruses, is characterized by common symptoms that include a runny or congested nose, a sore throat, coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, headache, mild body aches, and a low-grade fever, as explained by Mayo Clinic. For those who
It’s common for adults to experience colds about two or three times a year, whereas infants and young children can be more susceptible and may get colds more frequently.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that rhinoviruses are the most common cause of colds.
Colds are primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets released when a person coughs or sneezes, and they can also spread through personal contact, such as shaking hands or hugging.
To reduce the risk of catching a cold, the CDC recommends frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with individuals who are infected. These simple measures can help protect you from cold viruses.
Typically, individuals recover from a cold in approximately one week, and medical intervention is usually unnecessary unless the symptoms worsen or lead to complications.