With the adjustment of epidemic prevention policies, there will no longer be large-scale nucleic acid screening and mandatory measures to reduce population mobility, which undoubtedly increases the chances of ordinary people being infected with the novel coronavirus. So what is the difference between the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19?
Difference between the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19:
1. The common cold usually presents symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. There may be a fever, but it is generally mild to moderate and lasts for 1-3 days. The cold typically resolves within 3-5 days. It is rare for the common cold to cause systemic symptoms such as muscle pain or fatigue, and even if present, they are usually mild.
2. Influenza often causes a high fever that lasts for 3-5 days. The main feature of the flu is the presence of systemic symptoms, including muscle pain, fatigue, and headache.
3. COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) is characterized by symptoms such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, and even difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Currently, the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 relies on not only these symptoms but also epidemiological history, such as whether you have had contact with patients or suspected cases, or if you have visited epidemic areas like Wuhan. Confirmation usually requires chest CT scans and virus nucleic acid analysis.
For home treatment, rest, increase nutrient intake, and drink plenty of water.
For mild cases, over-the-counter medications for fever, muscle pain, and sore throat can be used. These include acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which can reduce fever and alleviate pain. For fever, it is generally recommended to take medication if the temperature exceeds 38.5℃, with a recommended interval of 6-8 hours. If there is severe muscle pain without fever, these medications can still be used.
For coughs, if there is no phlegm, cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan or codeine can be used to alleviate the cough. If there is phlegm, expectorants such as ambroxol, guaifenesin, and N-acetylcysteine can be taken to help with phlegm removal. Avoid cough suppressants in this case as they hinder phlegm clearance. For severe dry cough with significant airway reactivity, montelukast sodium tablets can be taken before bed to reduce airway reactivity.
For nasal congestion and runny nose, cold medications such as antihistamine-decongestant combinations (e.g., pseudoephedrine) and nasal sprays can be used to relieve these symptoms.
