Right now, around the U.S. and around Houston, Texas, three different respiratory viruses are going around and creating a lot of concern for people, particularly seniors, immunocompromised people, and parents of children.
Without a test to determine what you have, it is impossible to confirm it. However, when it comes to COVID, the Flu, or RSV, there are signs and symptoms that may indicate you have one over the other. It is also possible to have more than one respiratory virus at the same time.
COVID, The Flu, or RSV?
COVID, the Flu, and RSV are all respiratory viruses, meaning they affect the upper and lower respiratory systems, meaning the sinuses, throat, and lungs. They are spread by respiratory droplets being breathed in when someone sneezes or coughs and also picked up on the hands and transferred to the nose, mouth, or eyes.
There are vaccines that help to protect against COVID and the flu, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with them.
They all produce symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
While COVID, The Flu, and RSV do have somewhat different symptoms, there are also many similarities. All three of these may cause a fever, cough, congestion, loss of taste and smell, fatigue, runny nose and congestion, sore throat, and trouble breathing.
Here is how they differ:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Out of the three of these, COVID is the most likely to cause loss of taste and smell. It is also a different kind of loss of taste and smell. The loss of taste and smell that comes from other viruses is due to congestion. With COVID, the loss of taste and smell is often described as perfected good foods smelling and tasting rotten or like garbage, in addition to a decrease in the ability to smell things they should be able to.
The fever and feeling sick with a COVID infection also come on slower than with the flu, over the course of a few days.
Nausea is common with COVID, and those infected may also vomit or have diarrhea.
A very sore throat is common with the flu and COVID. A COVID cough is more likely to be dry than with the flu or RSV.
Muscle aches are more common with COVID and the flu than with RSV.
Influenza (The Flu)
With the flu, a high fever typically comes on suddenly. Nausea is common with the flu, and those infected may also vomit or have diarrhea.
A very sore throat is common with the flu and COVID.
Muscle aches are more common with COVID and the flu than with RSV.
Anti-viral medication is very effective at shortening the duration of the flu when taken shortly after becoming sick.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is particularly hard on babies, young children, and the elderly because they do not have the same ability to help relieve themselves of the chest congestion. It presents as a bad cold, even for adults.
With RSV, it is normal not to have a fever at all. When fever is present, it is typically a mild, low-grade fever. Fatigue is also usually mild. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are not common symptoms of RSV.
Mild sore throat is common with RSV. It may feel a little scratchy.
What to do if you suspect COVID, The Flu, or RSV?
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