Cold and COVID-19 symptoms might look similar at times, but there are key distinctions. Do you know the differences? Read on to discover what the key distinctions are!
| Cold | COVID-19 |
| Can be caused by many types of viruses, but most commonly rhinovirus. | Is caused by novel coronavirus. |
| Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. | Symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. |
| Spread through contact with saliva or mucus. | Spread through contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, or blood. |
| Mortality rate 0.1%. | Mortality rate 3.4%. |
| Treatments are available. | No specific treatment available. |
| Incubation period 1-3 days. | Incubation period 2-14 days. |
| Are not contagious after a week. | Can be contagious for up to 2 weeks after recovery. |
A cold and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses, but there are some key differences between the two.
Both colds and COVID-19 are caused by viruses. Viruses are tiny, germ-like organisms that can’t be seen with the naked eye. They are made up of genetic material (DNA or RNA) inside a protein coat.
Cold is the most common infectious disease and is estimated to cause up to 22 million doctor visits a year in the United States. There are more than 200 different viruses that can cause the common cold, the most common of which is the rhinovirus.
COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus, which was first identified in 2019. The novel coronavirus is a member of the family of viruses that includes the common cold and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
Cold symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat, while COVID-19 symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Cold viruses are typically spread through contact with saliva or mucus, while COVID-19 is spread through contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, or blood from an infected person. It can also be spread through contact with objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.
COVID-19 is also more deadly, with a mortality rate of about 3.4%, while the mortality rate for colds is about 0.1%.
Currently, there is no specific treatment available for COVID-19, while there are many treatments available for colds, such as over-the-counter medications and antibiotics. Colds can also be treated by rest and stable fluids intake.
On the other hand, treatment for COVID-19 focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the patient’s health.
Finally, the incubation period for COVID-19 is 2-14 days, while the incubation period for colds is typically 1-3 days. For those who don’t know, the incubation period is the time between exposure to a disease-causing organism and the appearance of symptoms.
Individuals with colds are generally not contagious after about a week, while individuals with COVID-19 can be contagious for up to two weeks after they start feeling better.
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene and to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
