With North Texans feeling “ugh” thanks to rising COVID cases, allergies, the flu and the good old fashion cold, it might be a good time for a refresher course in the differences among the clan of ills.
Here are some hints on playing the “What do I have?” game:
- The big game changer is fever. If you have a fever, then there is a chance of having the flu or COVID. Without the fever, you’re suffering from allergies or a cold.
- Think of a cold being a mini-me version of the flu without the fever. A cold emerges gradually focusing in the head; the flu slams the entire body fast and hard.
- Like allergies, a cold takes place primarily in the head.
The National Institute of Health has provided a list of symptoms in its Wise Choices chart below:
It is important to note again and again that you can spread the flu and COVID without knowing you have it. According to University of Michigan infectious disease expert Dr. Aubree Gordon, “Both influenza and COVID can be spread to other people before individuals develop symptoms.”
And remember that wearing a N-95 or KN-95 mask is a two-way preventative for a cold, the flu and COVID. The wearer won’t be exposed to the virus and the wearer won’t be able to transmit the virus, if they have it. But the mask only works if you wear it in public and private completely over your nose and mouth and not as a necklace.
BTW, to double protect yourself, double up your cloth masks by including a disposal mask and washing your cloth mask after being worn.
If you do think you have COVID, you need to get tested immediately, quarantine until you get your results and notify anyone you have come in contact with in the days before to be on guard for symptoms. Unfortunately, over the recent holidays, this practice wasn’t put into place resulting in some super-spreaders.
* Graphic courtesy of the National Institute of Health
Mary Parker says
Thank you for sharing this helpful information!