COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?
What’s the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold?
Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, while the common cold is most often caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses spread in similar ways and cause many of the same signs and symptoms. However, there are a few differences.
| Symptom or sign | COVID-19 | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Cough | Usually (dry) | Usually |
| Muscle aches | Usually | Sometimes |
| Tiredness | Usually | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Usually | Usually |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Usually | Usually |
| Fever | Usually | Sometimes |
| Diarrhea | Sometimes | Never |
| Nausea or vomiting | Sometimes | Never |
| New loss of taste or smell | Usually (early — often without a runny or stuffy nose) | Sometimes (especially with a stuffy nose) |
While COVID-19 symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.
There's no cure for the common cold. Treatment may include pain relievers and over-the-counter cold remedies, such as decongestants. Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually harmless. Most people recover from a common cold in three to 10 days, although some colds may last as long as two or three weeks.
