As winter tightens its grip, a familiar surge in respiratory illnesses is sweeping across the UK. With colds, flu, RSV, and Covid-19 all circulating, distinguishing one from another has become a common household dilemma. The NHS has now issued clear guidance to help the public identify key differences, particularly between influenza and Covid-19, with the nature of your cough offering a vital clue.
The Crucial Cough Difference
Both Covid-19 and influenza share a suite of similar symptoms, which can make self-diagnosis tricky. According to the NHS, these overlapping signs include a high temperature, a sore throat, tiredness, a headache, and feeling sick.
However, the characteristics of a cough can be telling. If you have contracted influenza (flu), you are likely to develop a dry cough that can come on very quickly.
In contrast, a primary indicator of Covid-19 is a "new, continuous cough." The NHS specifies this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or experiencing three or more distinct coughing episodes within a 24-hour period.
This expert advice is echoed by GP and medical director Dr Rupa Parmar of Midland Health. In previous comments, she clarified: "With a cold, a cough will be mild, while a flu cough will seem dry. With Covid, a cough will be dry and continuous."
Other Key Symptoms to Watch For
Beyond the cough, other symptoms can help pinpoint which virus is at play. A diminished or altered sense of smell or taste remains a symptom frequently reported with Covid-19 but is far less common with seasonal flu.
Additionally, breathlessness is recognised by the NHS as a sign of Covid-19. While it is not typically associated with standard flu cases, it can develop if an influenza infection becomes severe.
What You Should Do If You Feel Unwell
The NHS provides consistent advice for both Covid-19 and flu. If you or your child develop symptoms and have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to engage in normal activities, you should stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
You can usually return to your normal routine when you feel better and no longer have a high temperature.
It is crucial to seek urgent medical advice via your GP or NHS 111 if:
- Symptoms worsen or do not improve.
- You are concerned about a child's or your own condition.
- A high temperature lasts for five days or more, or doesn't come down with paracetamol.
- An infant under three months has a temperature of 38C or higher.
- You or your child have flu-like symptoms and are over 65, pregnant, have a long-term medical condition, a weakened immune system, or if symptoms persist after seven days.
The NHS notes that viruses thrive in colder weather and spread more easily when people congregate indoors, driving the annual winter wave of illness. Staying informed on these key differences is the first step in managing your health and knowing when to seek further support.
