How do you know if you have COVID? It’s a question we’ve asked since the pandemic began. With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be tricky to tell the difference between COVID and other respiratory illnesses. But the good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to confirm if it’s COVID so that you can get the treatment you need.
What Are the Symptoms of COVID?
COVID symptoms can show up differently from person to person, which is why it can be hard to distinguish from other common illnesses. Some people may feel like they have a cold, while others experience more intense flu-like symptoms. Here are some of the most commonly reported symptoms of COVID:
- Fever or chills
- Cough (especially a dry cough)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Loss of taste or smell
- Dolor de garganta
- Fatigue
- Dolor de cabeza
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea
Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and they can range from mild to severe. Different COVID strains can also influence the type and severity of symptoms. For example, loss of taste and smell was very common in the earlier variants but is less common in the newer ones. Still, if you’ve lost your sense of taste or smell, COVID could be the reason.
COVID vs. Cold or Flu
So, is it COVID, a cold, or the flu? There are a few clues that may help you get a better idea of what you’re dealing with:
- Colds usually bring more sneezing and stuffy noses.
- The flu tends to hit harder and faster with fever, chills, and body aches.
- COVID can look like either, but loss of taste or smell is still a key sign to watch for.
One important reminder: many people who come in thinking they have COVID actually test positive for the flu instead. If we can detect the flu within 48 hours, medication can help shorten the illness—meaning less time away from work, school, and family.
The Only Way to Be Sure
The clearest way to know if you have COVID is to take a test. At-home antigen tests are convenient, but they can miss up to 1 in 5 positive cases. That means some people get a false negative when they actually do have the virus. Xpress Wellness Urgent Care, we use molecular COVID tests, which are considered the gold standard for accuracy. And with combination testing, we can check for flu and COVID through the same sample, for fast, reliable answers.
COVID Care and Testing with Xpress Wellness Urgent Care
If you’re feeling under the weather and wondering if it’s COVID, Xpress Wellness Urgent Care can help you find the answers you need. We offer quick, convenient testing and compassionate care to help you feel better, faster. Buscar un lugar near you and check-in online for an even shorter wait time to help put your mind at ease.
