Allergy, cold, flu, asthma or COVID-19?

Whether you’re dealing with nasal congestion, a sore throat, cough or fever, the pandemic has shown that it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your health. But you still need to be able to distinguish the symptoms of COVID-19 from those of the common cold or flu (influenza) and even asthma or seasonal allergies.

To get an understanding of the differences, consult the following chart (source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America [1]), which outlines the symptoms of each condition.

Keep in mind that these are only the most common symptoms. Their severity and intensity can vary greatly from person to person, and other symptoms may appear. In addition, allergies, a cold or the flu can lead to asthma attacks. When in doubt, or if your health is a concern or deteriorating, consult a doctor.