Is It Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or a Cold?

Feeling under the weather has been particularly common lately. We’ve just entered the cold season, and there’s a flu/cold that’s been spreading faster than a tsunami. If you’ve not caught it yet, lucky you! If you have, you may need immunity boosters and other prescribed medication from a licensed health expert. Order our Vitamin C Supplements here and check out its benefits while you’re at it.

To make matters worse though, COVID-19 has decided to shake the nation yet again. Minister of Health CS Mutahi Kagwe recently announced that we are experiencing a sixth wave of COVID-19 infections after the number of positive cases shot up. To tame the spread of this virus, the government has reinstated mandatory mask wearing in indoor public spaces including public service vehicles and flights to tame the spread of COVID-19.

Now pay attention to this.

Individuals who fail to wear masks in confined spaces risk six months in jail or a hefty fine of Ksh 20,000. Now why would you want to risk all that when you can get a pack of masks (50 pieces) for less than Ksh 200? Order here.

So back to the matter at hand. Could the sniffles we’ve been having be caused by the flu? Or is it a cold? Or allergies? Or maybe COVID-19?

Determining the root of an illness can be tricky because many share some symptoms. Yes, they can leave you sniffing, coughing, and feeling tired. But there are some differences to note:

Flu vs COVID-19

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Both can give you a fever, cough, headaches, and body aches.
Flu and COVID-19 also spread similarly. They’re transmitted by small particles that come from your nose and mouth when you sneeze, cough, sing, or talk, raising the possibility of infecting people who are nearby.
COVID-19 symptoms can take longer than flu symptoms to develop. Someone with flu usually has symptoms 1 to 4 days after being infected. A person with COVID-19 typically shows symptoms about 5 days after infection, although this can range from 2 to 14 days.
In some cases, COVID-19 causes loss of smell or taste. But because of other similar symptoms, there’s really only one way to be certain if you have COVID-19 or flu: Get tested.

Could It Be a Cold? Or Allergies?

Like flu and COVID-19, colds are also caused by viruses and can be passed to others. Symptoms of a cold tend to be mild. You may have a runny nose, cough, congestion, and sore throat.
Allergies can cause a runny nose and sneezing. But they’re not contagious. If your eyes, nose, or ears itch, that also could be an allergy. Exposure to things like dust, pets, and tree or grass pollen can trigger allergies, which are caused by the immune system.