"DO I have Covid-19?"
This is one of the recurring questions many Malaysians have asked themselves in the past two years, as the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19, the flu and the common cold share a few common symptoms like sore throat, headache, body ache and fever.
While they are all caused by viruses1, Covid-19 has multisystem involvement; both Covid-19 and the flu are contagious respiratory infections1, whereas the common cold is more self-limiting and not as severe2.
Because their symptoms are so alike, distinguishing between them can be challenging.
Here's a closer look at each illness and its accompanying symptoms:
COMMON COLD
Upon falling sick, many people often say that they have "the flu". But most of the time, they are down with a common cold, the symptoms of which are typically less aggressive compared to the flu3.
On average, most people with a common cold will recover in about seven to ten days if they do not fall into one of the high-risk groups3.
In addition, studies also show that adults have two to three colds each year on average3.
Common cold symptoms appear one to three days after exposure to the virus that causes the cold1.
FLU
Seasonal influenza or the flu is a virus-based respiratory infection.
Flu, a shortened abbreviation for influenza, can have very serious associated complications4 and can be risky for certain age groups5.
Flu symptoms appear one to four days after exposure to the influenza virus2.
The best way to combat the flu is by getting lots of rest and fluids. Besides that, getting vaccinated is also a good option.
COVID-19
Covid-19 symptoms can manifest in multiple ways. However, the most commonly reported symptoms include dry cough, difficulty breathing, fever, loss of taste and smell, and muscle aches.
Covid-19 varies in its severity, posing a bigger threat to those who are immunocompromised and the elderly.
Patients who have a mild case normally recover in one to two weeks. However, in severe cases, recuperation can take six weeks or longer, and the heart, kidneys, lungs and brain may be permanently damaged6.
In terms of symptoms, Covid-19 symptoms show two to fourteen days after exposure to the SARS CoV-2 virus2.
RECOMMENDED TIPS
Symptoms of the common cold and the flu, such as headaches, body aches and fever, can be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) medications like paracetamol7.
Adults should take one to two tablets of 500mg8,9 paracetamol pill every four to six hours, but no more than eight 500mg paracetamol pills in a 24-hour period.
People are also encouraged to get medical help if they experience symptoms that are persistent, severe or alarming.
Besides using paracetamol to alleviate the symptoms that accompany the flu and common cold, there are a few self-care tips that one can follow:
To avoid dehydration, get enough rest and drink plenty of water
When visiting outdoor venues such as supermarkets, shopping malls, and public bathrooms, wear face masks, use hand sanitisers, and wash hands regularly
Getting a yearly flu vaccination, which is effective in roughly 40 per cent to 60 per cent of cases
Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet rich in vegetables, low-sugar fruit and lean meats to keep one's body healthy and help improve the immune system to battle common infections on its own5
The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care.
1 MayoClinic.org. COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences? May 2021. Retrieved from link.
2 MedicineNet. Common Cold: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, vs Flu, COVID-19. February 2021. Retrieved from link.
3 HealthMetrics. Guide for HRs: InFluenza (Flu) Vaccine for Malaysian Companies. Retrieved from link.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu Symptoms & Complications. August 2021. Retrieved from link.
5New Straits Times. Common Cold or inFluenza? December 2015. Retrieved from link.
6 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Coronavirus Diagnosis: What Should I Expect? October 2020. Retrieved from link.
7 Portal MyHEALTH Malaysia. Paracetamol. April 2012. April 2021. Retrieved from link.
8 Gaul C. Eshalier A. Dose Can Help to Achieve Effective Pain Relief for Acute Mild to Moderate Pain with Over the Counter Paracetamol? Open Pain Journal, 2018.11,12.2
9CADTH 2016, 1000 mg versus 600/650mg Acetaminophen for Pain or Fever: A Review of Clinical Efficacy. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. June 2016.
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