Allergies, Cold, Flu or COVID-19 Virus? Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions This information has been reviewed and approved by Flavia Hoyte, MD and Jared Eddy, MD (March 2020). Allergies, Cold, Flu or COVID-19 Virus? Here's now to tell the difference between allergy symptoms and the novel 2019 Coronavirus. Symptoms Allergies Cold Influenza COVID-19 Symptoms begin Gradually Gradually Abruptly Within 14 days of exposure Symptoms last Allergy season 4 - 10 days 5 - 7 days Varies by person Body aches — ✓ ✓ Sometimes Chills — Less common ✓ Sometimes Dry cough ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Exposure to germs — ✓ ✓ ✓ Fatigue/weakness Sometimes ✓ ✓ ✓ Fever — Less common ✓ ✓ Headaches ✓ Less common ✓ Sometimes Itchy eyes ✓ — — — Nasal congestion ✓ ✓ ✓ Less common Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea — Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes New loss of taste or smell Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes ✓ Repeated shaking with chills — Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes Runny nose ✓ — — Less common Sneeze ✓ ✓ ✓ Sometimes Sore throat Sometimes ✓ ✓ Sometimes Shortness of breath Sometimes Less common ✓ ✓ Symptoms get worse — — ✓ ✓ Think You Have COVID-19? Stay home and away from others. Monitor symptoms. Rest. Cover coughs and sneezes. Wash hands with soap and water often. Treat symptoms. Contact your doctor if you have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing or existing chronic disease. More Information on COVID-19 COVID-19 Who Should Get Tested Household Cleaning and Disinfecting for COVID-19 How to Avoid the Coronavirus Self Care for COVID-19 Social Distancing, Self-Isolation and Self-Quarantine Stop the Spread of Germs Tips to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 Stop Germs - Wash Your Hands Coronavirus Vaccine and Treatment Hand Sanitizer FAQs Who Needs A Facemask and Why? Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: