Best Medicines for a Stuffy Nose
What Are The Differences Between RSV, The Flu, And COVID-19?
Some symptoms of RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are similar. Examples include a cough, runny nose, and fever. However, COVID-19 can affect taste, while RSV may decrease appetite. The causes and treatments for each respiratory infection are different.
Influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are three highly contagious respiratory infections. Exposure to a unique virus causes each one.
While they each share some similarities, understanding how these respiratory viruses differ can help people properly respond.
While certain symptoms overlap, each of these respiratory viruses also has a few distinct differences.
Flu symptomsThe flu can cause mild to severe symptoms that tend to come on suddenly.
Fever is often thought of as a distinguishing flu symptom. However, not everyone who has the flu will develop a fever.
COVID-19 symptomsSymptoms of COVID-19 usually appear 2–14 days after exposure to the virus.
No two people with COVID-19 present the same way. Some people have mild symptoms while others develop severe or even life threatening symptoms.
More severe symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Severe symptoms are a sign to seek immediate medical care.
RSV symptomsRSV symptoms usually begin 4–6 days after exposure to the virus. They typically appear in stages instead of all at once.
Most people have mild RSV cases. More rarely, RSV can cause severe illness and lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
Very young infants may experience RSV differently. Often, their only symptoms are breathing difficulties, decreased activity and appetite, and irritability.
RSV can be very dangerous in infants under 6 months and older adults. If a child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms, call a doctor.
These respiratory virus symptoms share many similarities. Seeing a doctor for testing and diagnosis is the best way to determine which type of infection a person has.
Diagnosing the fluTo diagnose the flu, a doctor will swab the inside of the nose or the back of the throat for testing. Results may be available within minutes or take several hours depending on the test used.
Diagnosing COVID-19Several types of tests are available to diagnose COVID-19. All of the options involve a nose swab.
People can self-administer at-home tests anywhere without needing to see a doctor. However, the results may not be as accurate.
Seeing a doctor or visiting a testing site is another option. They may administer a rapid test or a COVID-19 PCR test, which often provides a more accurate result.
Diagnosing RSVA doctor may diagnose RSV based simply on a person's medical history, the season, and a physical exam. A doctor does not necessarily do diagnostic testing when a person with RSV has milder symptoms.
However, in some people, a doctor may perform tests, such as a mouth swab or blood test, to confirm the diagnosis.
In people with severe cases of RSV who require hospitalization, a doctor may perform additional tests, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, or blood and urine cultures, to monitor for RSV-related complications.
Confirming an accurate diagnosis is important for determining the correct treatment approach.
Flu treatmentsWhen it comes to the flu, prevention is the best medicine. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccines for anyone 6 months or older as the best preventative measure toward reducing the spread of the flu.
If a person does become sick with the flu, some antiviral medications may help with symptoms in people with severe flu or in people at higher risk of serious symptoms from the flu. The CDC recommends starting treatment within 2 days of noticing symptoms. However, starting treatment later may still be helpful, especially for people in high-risk groups.
Recovery timeThe CDC notes that some people will recover from the flu in a few days while others may take up to 2 weeks.
Some people may develop severe complications, including pneumonia. Complications from the flu can be severe, and in some people, they may even be life threatening.
COVID-19 treatmentsThe CDC also recommends people get vaccinated for COVID-19 and stay on top of the booster schedule to avoid illness.
If a person does become sick with COVID-19, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medications. Doctors often prescribe these medications to people who are at risk of getting severely ill. When people take these drugs within days of symptom onset, they can help reduce the chances of severe hospitalization and death.
However, most people with COVID-19 have milder cases, and their symptoms will resolve at home without needing hospitalization or medical treatment.
To manage the symptoms and allow these people's bodies to heal naturally, doctors may recommend strategies, including:
The recovery time for COVID-19 can vary widely from person to person based on factors, such as severity and symptoms.
Most people with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health. However, some people can have symptoms and complications that last for weeks, months, or even years after recovery from the illness. Even people who recover from a mild case of COVID-19 may have long-lasting symptoms.
The most commonly reported long-term symptoms include:
This is known as post-COVID conditions (PCC) or long COVID. Experts are still doing research to better understand PCC and long COVID.
RSV treatmentsAccording to the CDC, no specific medication has yet been approved to treat an RSV infection. Similarly, no RSV vaccine has been approved yet, either.
However, researchers are working to develop an RSV vaccine to prevent illness, as well as antiviral medication to treat RSV.
There is a treatment that may help certain babies and children with an increased risk of severe RSV to protect their health. This includes premature infants and young children with certain heart and lung conditions. Doctors administer this medication as a monthly injection during RSV season.
Otherwise, the best way to treat RSV is to take steps to manage symptoms by:
Most people's RSV symptoms will resolve on their own. However, this process may take 1–2 weeks.
Various respiratory viruses, including the flu, COVID-19, and RSV, share common symptoms. Anyone concerned about their symptoms should contact a healthcare professional. This is especially important for anyone in high-risk groups who are experiencing signs of respiratory illness.
Receiving an accurate diagnosis can help people respond to their condition effectively and prevent related complications. Staying up to date on recommended vaccines can also help prevent illness.
What To Know About Bad Cold Symptoms
You're probably familiar with the typical signs of the common cold, like coughing or sneezing. However, bad cold symptoms may look appear as issues with breathing and dehydration. Here's what you need to know about severe colds, as well as the treatment and prevention of colds in general.
Cold symptoms will typically consist of a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, and watery eyes. Those and any other symptoms will reach their peak around two to three days and last anywhere from 10 to 14 days.
However, colds can be considered more serious if you experience:
You'll want to seek medical care if you have any of these symptoms.
Germs and Cold SeverityViruses, particularly rhinovirus, are responsible for causing the common cold. However, you may also have the bacteria microbiome living inside your nose to blame.
In one study, researchers took samples from 152 people's noses to examine the community of bacteria living there—their nasal microbiomes. People whose noses contained more of certain types of bacteria were found to have worse symptoms and more viruses in their bodies after getting sick with rhinovirus.
Specifically, participants with more Staphylococcus bacteria, or staph, had worse symptoms than those with less staph. However, the researchers only found an association between staph and worse symptoms—not that the presence of staph was the actual reason.
Sometimes if you have a really bad cold, you might be convinced that it's actually the flu. That's because flu symptoms tend to be much more intense compared to the usually mild cold.
The illnesses also share some symptoms—like coughing or a sore throat—and are both caused by viruses. Still, there are some subtle symptom differences between the two:
Treatments for colds won't cure the illness, but the treatments help reduce your symptoms.
For nasal symptoms, you can use a humidifier, vaporizer, or saline nose drops or sprays. Over-the-counter (OTC) cough or cold medicines can keep your cough at bay, while pain relievers like acetaminophen can ease any aches.
OTC cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children younger than 4 years of age. They can lead to serious—and occasionally life-threatening—side effects for children of that age.
Also, some cold and cough medicines come with pain relievers. Check labels if you use pain relievers and cold or cough medicines and carefully follow the instructions. Taking too much of a pain reliever can result in liver damage.
You'll want to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids and ensure that you get enough rest.
Cold-prevention habits to help keep your immune system in tip-top shape include:
A bad cold can go beyond your typical cough or runny nose; you could feel dizzy, vomit a lot, or have symptoms that won't go away. It might feel like you have the flu, but there are differences between colds and the flu.
If you have a severe cold, seek medical care and use appropriate treatments, like cold medicines. During and after your efforts to get better, try to prevent future colds with actions like healthy eating and regular handwashing.
Hayfever Or Cold Symptoms? Here's How To Tell The Difference Between The Two…
As we're exiting flu season and entering pollen city it can be difficult to work out whether we're experiencing hay fever or cold symptoms, or even both. After all, there's a lot of cross-over between the two if you're feeling congested, exhausted and uncomfortable.
However, it's important to be able to identify whether you're suffering with an allergy or illness as the treatment to each will differ. And, the quicker you work out where you're at, the sooner you can alleviate the symptoms.
We called on Dr Grace Hula, GP and director of G&M Healthcare to give us the down-low on exactly what we need to know when navigating hayfever or cold symptoms…
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What is hay fever?"Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen, dust, or other airborne allergens," says Dr Grace Hula. "The symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, and throat irritation."
What is a cold?The common cold is a viral infection in your nose and throat. "The symptoms include sneezing, a runny or congested nose, coughing, sore throat, and fatigue," Dr Hula explains.
How are hayfever or cold symptoms similar?Since the two have many similarities, it's easy to get them confused. "The symptoms of hay fever and a cold are similar in that they both cause a runny or congested nose and sneezing. They may also cause fatigue and throat irritation," confirms Dr Hula.
How are the symptoms different?Not sure how to tell the difference? "The symptoms are different in that hay fever typically causes itchy and watery eyes, while a cold does not. A cold may also cause a cough and fever, while hay fever does not," Dr Hula clarifies.
How to treat hay fever?Now you know what you're looking for, the next step is treatment. "To treat hay fever, you can take over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal corticosteroids," says Dr Hula. "It's also important to avoid allergens as much as possible."
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