Geetika Gupta, MD, is a board-certified internist working in primary care with a focus on the outpatient care of COVID-19.
COVID-19 and the common cold share similar symptoms. How then can you tell if you have COVID-19 or the common cold? Understanding key differences in how these illnesses are caused, spread, prevented, and treated can help you seek the appropriate medical care.
The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is a viral infection of the upper airway (nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx) but can also affect the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, and lungs). Colds are the most common cause of illness in people.
By comparison, the virus that causes COVID-19 is called SARS-CoV-2, which belongs to the family of coronaviruses. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that begins in the upper airways and can quickly progress to infections in the lower respiratory tract, causing severe illness.
By July 2022, over 88 million cases of COVID-19 had been recorded since the start of the pandemic in 2020. The common cold, however, is estimated to account for approximately 1 billion new cases annually in the United States.
This article will explain the similarities between the common cold and COVID-19 and include information on the diagnosis and treatment of each illness.
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The common cold and COVID-19 share symptoms. However, the symptoms of COVID-19 are generally more serious and can progress to severe disease, even death. The severity of COVID-19 symptoms also increases if you have underlying health conditions, are unvaccinated, or are 65 or older.
That said, it's important to note that while some people infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms), they can still be contagious. Common symptoms of the common cold and COVID-19 include:
The common cold and COVID-19 are caused by respiratory viruses (although different ones). The common cold is most often caused by rhinoviruses, while SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. Some coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV2 can cause the common cold.
These viruses spread in similar ways, such as through respiratory droplets when someone talks, coughs, or sneezes. People can also contract these illnesses by touching surfaces contaminated with either SARS-CoV-2 or rhinoviruses and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
A key difference between the common cold and COVID-19 is the incubation period (time of exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms).
For the common cold, the incubation period is relatively short, usually one to three days. For COVID-19, the incubation period can range anywhere from two to 14 days.
If you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms, your next step depends on your vaccination status and whether you have had a COVID-19 infection in the past 90 days. You should do the following:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "close contact" refers to someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for 15 minutes. This can include 15 minutes at a given time or over a 24-hour period. Studies have shown that wearing medical graded masks (N95 or KN95) is at least 95% effective at protecting people from contracting COVID-19.
Colds are usually diagnosed by their symptoms alone as there is no lab test for cold viruses. But since there is an overlap in symptoms with colds and COVID-19, taking a COVID-19 test can help determine what is causing your illness. As well, your healthcare provider may test you for influenza.
COVID-19 tests can detect SARS-CoV-2, or antibodies that your body makes after getting COVID-19 or getting vaccinated.
Tests for SARS-CoV-2 tell you if you have an infection at the time of the test. This type of test is called a viral test because it looks for viral infection. Examples of viral tests include antigen (pieces of viral protein) and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). Both are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are generally free of charge.
When you get a COVID-19 test, you can select a rapid antigen test or laboratory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. A healthcare professional will take a sample of cells from your nose, mouth, or throat.
Rapid antigen tests are usually performed in minutes, while laboratory tests can take up to seven days to complete depending on testing demands. Same-day laboratory tests are also available in certain locations but may require a fee.
You also have the option of taking an at-home COVID-19 test. Rapid antigen tests are available to use at home. If you have a positive home antigen test, contact a healthcare provider for advice on treatment.
In mid-2020, the FDA approved at-home PCR test kits. People can collect samples of cells (usually a nasal swab) at home and then send the sample to a lab for testing.
While rapid antigen tests yield fast results (in minutes), they're usually less accurate and less sensitive in detecting viral antigens, especially in individuals who are asymptomatic. In comparison, laboratory PCR tests yield slower results (in days) but are significantly more accurate and sensitive, as they detect the presence of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of SARS-CoV-2.
The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated before you are infected. If you're symptomatic for COVID-19 and don't require medical attention, stay isolated and take the following steps to manage your symptoms. These steps are also effective in relieving common cold symptoms.
If your COVID-19 symptoms become worse (shortness of breath or chest pain), seek medical attention immediately. All treatments for moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 should be prescribed by a healthcare provider. They may prescribe FDA-approved treatments such as:
If you have COVID-19, don't attempt to take any medications or substances that aren't FDA approved. Taking products that are not approved could harm your body or cause death. Remember, a healthcare provider will decide the best course of treatment for you.
COVID-19 can progress to severe disease, especially among individuals who aren't vaccinated. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you or someone you know show these signs and symptoms:
If you test positive for COVID-19, a healthcare provider may recommend a pulse oximeter (a device that checks how much oxygen your blood is carrying) to measure blood oxygen levels.
Usually, a low blood oxygen level causes symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath. This lifesaving device can alert you when you need medical attention, even if you're asymptomatic.
When using a pulse oximeter, check the percentage of oxygen in the blood. An oxygen saturation level of 95% is considered typical for most healthy people. A level of 92% or lower can indicate hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood).
The common cold and COVID-19 are both caused by respiratory viruses. Colds affect the upper airway (nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx) and can affect the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, and lungs). COVID-19 also affects the upper and lower respiratory systems but can cause severe disease in the lungs, and sometimes death.
COVID-19 tests tell you if you have an infection in real time by looking for viral infection. If you test positive for COVID-19, treatments are available for severe disease. However, getting vaccinated is the best protection.
For the common cold, which typically produces mild symptoms, treatment includes staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and taking OTC medications as needed.
There is some overlap of symptoms between the common cold and COVID-19 such as a sore throat, headache, coughing, fever, and muscle aches.
While the risk of contracting COVID-19 decreases if you are fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and boosted, continue to implement effective mitigation measures (wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, social distancing) to prevent the risk of infection. Getting vaccinated offers the best protection against COVID-19, as it prevents severe disease and death.
Finally, with the rise of variants (Omicron) and any potential variants of concern thereafter, stay up to date on CDC guidelines for testing and care.
These safety measures are optimal for keeping you and your loved ones protected, especially if you are immunocompromised or care for infants that aren't yet qualified to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The CDC recommends taking measures to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.
These include being fully vaccinated and boosted, wearing a medical-grade mask (N95 or KN95), washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, social distancing (at least 6 feet or more), and avoiding large crowds.
Common cold symptoms, which generally affect the upper respiratory system, typically peak at one to three days and last seven to 10 days. However, they can linger for as long as three weeks in some cases.
Cold symptoms are generally mild, but if your symptoms remain the same or become worse over time, consider seeking medical attention from a healthcare professional.
How long COVID-19 stays in the body varies from person to person. Generally, people are no longer contagious about 10 days after the onset of symptoms. However, a 2020 study from the Lancet Microbe found that people can shed the virus for as long as 83 days, underscoring the importance of frequent testing, quarantining, and isolation practices.
Up to July 2022, over 1,015,000 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in the United States. By comparison, over 6.3 million individuals had died from COVID-19 worldwide by July 2022.
According to the CDC, everyone 6 months of age and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. You can get a vaccine at many locations such as a clinic, pharmacy, pop-up vaccine site, and even a dentist's office. For a list of participating vaccine sites in your town or city, visit vaccines.gov.
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