Health and Me

Itisha Arya

COVID Or Seasonal Flu: NHS Explains What Your Cough May Be Signalling

covid or seasonal flu

A particular type of cough could offer an important clue about whether you have <span>Covid</span> or flu this winter. The <span>NHS</span> has outlined how the two illnesses can be told apart.

<h2>Why Do Respiratory Illnesses Rise In Winter?</h2>

As winter arrives, a noticeable increase in seasonal illnesses is expected. Conditions such as the common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza tend to spread more easily during colder months. This happens because viruses thrive in lower temperatures and people spend longer periods indoors, often in close proximity to others.

<h2>Why Covid and Flu Can Be Hard To Tell Apart</h2>

Distinguishing between these infections is not always easy, as many symptoms overlap. According to guidance published by the NHS, the following symptoms are commonly seen in both Covid and flu:

<ul><li>A high temperature</li><li>A sore throat</li><li>Feeling tired or extremely fatigued</li><li>A headache</li><li>Diarrhoea</li><li>Feeling sick or vomiting</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Coughing is another symptom shared by both conditions, though the nature of the cough can differ.</li></ul>

Flu and Covid are among the illnesses that become more common during the winter months. If you have influenza, the NHS explains that the cough is usually dry and may develop suddenly, often alongside other symptoms that appear quickly.

In contrast, Covid may cause what the NHS describes as a “new, continuous cough.” This refers to coughing frequently for more than an hour, or experiencing three or more coughing episodes within a 24-hour period.

This distinction is supported by Dr Rupa Parmar, a GP and medical director at Midland Health. In previous comments, she noted that coughs linked to colds are generally mild, while flu tends to cause a dry cough.

“With Covid, the cough is often dry and persistent,” she explained. “Many people cough continuously for long periods or have repeated coughing fits throughout the day.”

<h2>Ways To Differentiate Between Covid and Influenza</h2>

The type of cough is not the only sign that may help identify which illness you have. A reduced or altered sense of smell or taste is commonly reported in people with Covid and is much less frequent in flu cases.

Breathlessness is another symptom recognised by the NHS as being associated with Covid. While flu can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties, this usually occurs only if the illness becomes severe.

<strong>What to do if you have symptoms:</strong>

For both Covid and flu, the NHS advises staying at home and limiting contact with others if you or your child have symptoms and either:

<ul><li>Have a high temperature</li><li>Do not feel well enough to attend work, school, childcare, or carry out normal activities</li><li>The guidance states that normal routines can be resumed once symptoms improve and the temperature returns to normal.</li></ul>

<strong>When to seek urgent medical advice:</strong>

The NHS recommends contacting your GP or NHS 111 urgently if:

<ul><li>You are worried about Covid symptoms in yourself or your child and are unsure what to do</li><li>Symptoms are worsening or not improving</li><li>You or your child develop additional signs of illness, such as a rash, poor appetite, or weakness</li><li>A high temperature lasts for five days or more, or does not come down after taking paracetamol</li><li>A baby under three months has a temperature of 38C or above, or is suspected to have a fever</li><li>A child aged three to six months has a temperature of 39C or above, or is suspected to have a fever</li><li>You or your child have flu-like symptoms and you are over 65, pregnant, living with a long-term health condition, have a weakened immune system, or symptoms have not eased after seven days</li></ul>

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A particular type of cough could offer an important clue about whether you have Covid or flu this winter. The NHS has outlined how the two illnesses can be told apart.Why Do Respiratory Illnesses Rise In Winter?As winter arrives, a noticeable increase in seasonal illnesses is expected. Conditions such as the common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and influenza tend to spread more easily during colder months. This happens because viruses thrive in lower temperatures and people spend longer periods indoors, often in close proximity to others.Why Covid and Flu Can Be Hard To Tell ApartDistinguishing between these infections is not always easy, as many symptoms overlap. According to guidance published by the NHS, the following symptoms are commonly seen in both Covid and flu:A high temperatureA sore throatFeeling tired or extremely fatiguedA headacheDiarrhoeaFeeling sick or vomitingLoss of appetiteCoughing is another symptom shared by both conditions, though the nature of the cough can differ.CoughFlu and Covid are among the illnesses that become more common during the winter months. If you have influenza, the NHS explains that the cough is usually dry and may develop suddenly, often alongside other symptoms that appear quickly.In contrast, Covid may cause what the NHS describes as a “new, continuous cough.” This refers to coughing frequently for more than an hour, or experiencing three or more coughing episodes within a 24-hour period.This distinction is supported by Dr Rupa Parmar, a GP and medical director at Midland Health. In previous comments, she noted that coughs linked to colds are generally mild, while flu tends to cause a dry cough.“With Covid, the cough is often dry and persistent,” she explained. “Many people cough continuously for long periods or have repeated coughing fits throughout the day.”Ways To Differentiate Between Covid and InfluenzaThe type of cough is not the only sign that may help identify which illness you have. A reduced or altered sense of smell or taste is commonly reported in people with Covid and is much less frequent in flu cases.Breathlessness is another symptom recognised by the NHS as being associated with Covid. While flu can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties, this usually occurs only if the illness becomes severe.What to do if you have symptoms:For both Covid and flu, the NHS advises staying at home and limiting contact with others if you or your child have symptoms and either:Have a high temperatureDo not feel well enough to attend work, school, childcare, or carry out normal activitiesThe guidance states that normal routines can be resumed once symptoms improve and the temperature returns to normal.When to seek urgent medical advice:The NHS recommends contacting your GP or NHS 111 urgently if:You are worried about Covid symptoms in yourself or your child and are unsure what to doSymptoms are worsening or not improvingYou or your child develop additional signs of illness, such as a rash, poor appetite, or weaknessA high temperature lasts for five days or more, or does not come down after taking paracetamolA baby under three months has a temperature of 38C or above, or is suspected to have a feverA child aged three to six months has a temperature of 39C or above, or is suspected to have a feverYou or your child have flu-like symptoms and you are over 65, pregnant, living with a long-term health condition, have a weakened immune system, or symptoms have not eased after seven days