The Common Cold, The Flu,
Covid, & Pneumonia
Cough, sore throat, fever, chills, body aches, headache, and runny nose. Sound familiar? Chances are, you’ve probably experienced these symptoms before, been diagnosed with some kind of viral illness, and laid in bed until your body naturally recovered.
But what virus did you actually have and what was the optimal treatment? We constructed this to help answer that question.
The common cold, the Flu, Covid, and Pneumonia- what’s the difference?
Let’s start off with some basic anatomy:
As we breathe, air flows through our nose/mouth, down our throat, through our windpipe and finally into our lungs. All this happens from top down and thus we denote the nose/mouth/throat/windpipe as our upper respiratory tract and our lungs as our lower respiratory tract. Where along this tract you get infected, correlates with the severity of your condition and determines the treatment you will need.
Cold vs Flu vs Covid- how do I tell the difference?
These are the 3 most commonly mistaken conditions. All are viruses, all typically affect the upper respiratory tract, and all have similar symptoms. So what is the difference?
- The common cold is caused by a series of different viruses and usually has mild symptoms
- The flu is a stronger cold caused by a specific virus: the influenza virus. As a result you typically have much stronger symptoms.
- Covid-19 is an even stronger cold caused by a specific virus: the SARS-CoV-2 virus. During the pandemic, most people did not have prior exposure to the virus and thus symptoms could be quite severe. However, post-pandemic, as most of our bodies have adapted, symptoms have become milder.
The best way to differentiate the three is to get tested!
Cold vs Flu vs Covid- why get tested?
Differentiating the three is important because we have a treatment for the flu and covid.
- The flu– within 2 days of symptom onset, a doctor can prescribe Tamiflu, a medication that helps stop the virus from multiplying and reduce the amount of time you stay sick.
- Covid– within 5 days of symptom of onset, we can prescribe Paxlovid to stop the virus from multiplying and reduce the chance of hospitalization. Not everyone needs treatment and it usually reserved for elderly and those with compromised immune systems. *note that in 2024, insurance coverage for Paxlovid may vary based on your individual plan*
If I already got the vaccine last year, should I get vaccinated again?
Short answer: it depends.
- The Flu– get the flu vaccine every year. The influenza virus is constantly mutating and the current year’s vaccine targets the most likely strain of the virus you will experience in that year.
- Covid– if not previously vaccinated, get the vaccine. If previously vaccinated before September 2023 with Pfizer or Moderna, get the updated vaccine
What is Pneumonia and how do I get it?
In some cases, the infection can extend beyond the upper respiratory track and penetrate down into the lungs. This is called pneumonia and it typically affects the elderly and those with weaker immune systems. While this can be caused by the Flu and Covid, it can also be due to bacteria.
How do I know I have Pneumonia?
This is the tricky part. The symptoms of pneumonia oftentimes are indistinguishable from the common cold/Covid/the Flu. However, when left untreated, it could lead to worsening symptoms and a visit to the hospital. If your symptoms aren’t getting any better, its important to speak to your doctor to rule out this serious condition.
What are the next steps?
At Zhu Family Medicine we understand that when you’re sick, you can’t always wait to see a doctor. That’s why we reserve slots for same day sick visits. We are a Houston based, primary care practice located 5 minutes from the Galleria. Let us help you diagnose, test, and apply the appropriate treatment needed for your condition!
