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 (December 2021). Cold, Flu or COVID-19 virus? Symptoms Cold Flu COVID-19 Symptoms begin Gradually Abruptly Within 14 days of exposure Symptoms last 4 - 10 days 5 - 7 days Varies by person Body aches ✓ ✓ Sometimes Chills Less common ✓ Sometimes Dry cough ✓ ✓ ✓ Exposure to germs ✓ ✓ ✓ Fatigue/weakness ✓ ✓ ✓ Fever Less common ✓ ✓ Headaches Less common ✓ Sometimes Itchy eyes — — — Nasal congestion ✓ ✓ Sometimes Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes New loss of taste or smell Sometimes Sometimes ✓ Repeated shaking with chills Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes Runny nose — — Sometimes Sneeze ✓ ✓ Sometimes Sore throat ✓ ✓ Sometimes Shortness of breath 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. COVID-19 symptoms can be slightly different with the Delta variant. More Information on Colds, Flu and COVID-19 Tips for Preventing a Cold Flu Vaccines Flu Prevention Tips 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 Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: