Is It A Cold The Flu Or Covid
Cold symptoms are mild and the common cold tends not to be associated with fever or headache.
Congestion/runny nose is common for the common cold and would be uncommon to be the only symptom for influenza. Congestion/runny nose can be a symptom of a COVID infection and might be the only symptom in mild cases.
Flu symptoms are often of rapid onset. COVID symptoms can be of rapid or more gradual onset.
Says Washer, one symptom that is more unique to a COVID infection is the loss of taste or smell. And symptoms from the delta variant are similar to prior versions of COVID.
Dizziness Fatigue Headache And Sore Throat
- Medical Author: Carol DerSarkissian, MD
Reviewed on 6/15/2020
Does your throat look red or have white spots? It’s possible that your symptoms could be due to a throat infection caused by either a bacteria or a virus, including mononucleosis. If your headache and dizziness don’t improve with home remedies, become worse, or are associated with a fever, seek medical attention urgently. Pay attention to your symptoms. If they get worse or don’t get better after a few days, check in with your doctor to see if they want you to come into the office.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
How To Care For Yourself
Medications used to treat the flu or a cold control symptoms. Antibiotics wont work they combat bacterial, not viral, infections. Viruses actually hide inside your own cells where antibiotics cannot affect them. Flu and cold care is aimed at symptom relief and immune system support. These include the following:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Do not smoke.
- Drink plenty of fluidsup to 3-4 liters per day .
- For fever, headache, body aches, or sore throat pain, take Tylenol Advil , or Aleve every 4-6 hours.
- For sore throat, gargle every 4 hours with warm, salty water . Also, try using throat lozenges containing a numbing medication.
- For hoarseness or laryngitis, talk as little as possible. Straining the voice can prolong or worsen laryngitis.
- For heavy amounts of nasal discharge or a large amount of phlegm associated with cough, consider using a mucolytic, such as Mucinex .
- For persistent runny nose or nasal congestion, antihistamines and decongestants may be used. Mild antihistamines such as Chlor-Trimeton are useful for runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. Use a decongestant such as Sudafed for nasal/sinus congestion or ear fullness. A combination antihistamine/decongestant such as Actifed or Dimetapp may be taken for multiple symptoms. But remember, antihistamines may make you drowsy !
- Read this flu information for more guidance.
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Is Headache A Sign Of Covid
Headache is very common amongst the masses. If you have a headache, does it indicate that you have contracted the virus? To answer this question, lets look at what the statistics say.
As mentioned earlier, out of 55,924 corona patients, only 13.9% had complained about headaches. For further analyses, the CDC also examined patients who were hospitalized. The results showed that only 2% of people reported headaches.
The statistics prove that headache is not as common as fever, dry cough, etc. However, according to reports, there are many cases where people experienced headaches before getting a dry cough.
Theory suggests that when a person gets anosmia due to COVID-19, it causes severe headaches.
If you want to figure out whether your headache is a symptom of COVID-19, read further.
How Is Infectious Mononucleosis Diagnosed
A diagnosis of mononucleosis is usually based on reported symptoms. However, diagnosis can be confirmed with specific blood tests and other lab tests, including:
-
White blood cell count, which is not diagnostic, but the presence of certain types of white blood cells may support the diagnosis
-
Heterophile antibody test or monospot test, which, if positive, indicates infectious mononucleosis
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Flu Symptoms And Relief
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that frequently causes fatigue and sore throat. Much like mono, saliva and air borne pathogens help spread the flu virus.
In addition to sudden and excessive fatigue and sore throat symptoms, you may experience:
- Body aches and chills
- Fever
- Gastrointestinal problems
Bed rest and plenty of fluids are typically the best treatments for overcoming the flu. A healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medication, which can sometimes cause symptoms to ease faster than through rest and fluids alone.
What Is A Headache With A Sore Throat
Most people get headaches many times during their lives. A headache causes pain in your head or face. The pain may be throbbing, sharp or dull.
A sore throat is pain or irritation in your throat. It might feel scratchy, painful or dry. It often hurts more when you swallow.
Sometimes, you have both a headache and sore throat. Most often, an infection causes those symptoms to happen together.
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How Is Head And Neck Cancer Diagnosed
Early detection is key to successful treatment of head and neck cancer. Almost three-quarters of all head and neck cancers can be easily detected during an examination. Your healthcare provider will perform an examination and may order diagnostic tests.
These exams and tests might include:
- A physical exam to check the oral and nasal cavities, neck, throat and tongue. Your provider may also feel your neck, lips, gum and cheeks for lumps.
- Endoscopy: Your provider uses a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope to examine your voice box, throat, nasal cavity or other area where you are experiencing symptoms. This is done in the office and isnt painful.
- Laboratory tests on blood, urine or other body samples.
- Head and neck X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs or PET scans to create pictures of the areas inside your head and neck. Your provider will determine which tests will best evaluate your symptoms.
- Biopsy: Your provider removes tissue for a pathologist to study under a microscope. This is the only sure way to diagnose cancer. This may be done in the office with a local anesthetic, usually with a needle. Or it may have to be done in an operating room while youre under a general anesthetic.
How Is Me/cfs Treated
There is currently no FDA-approved treatment or drug for ME/CFS. As neither a cause nor cure for ME/CFS has been identified, treatment is directed at relieving symptoms. However, there are interventions and symptom-reduction strategies that you can use to significantly improve patients quality of life.
Learn more in our Patient Resources section.
Studies show that less than 9-16 percent of ME/CFS patients in the United States have been properly diagnosed. Diagnosing ME/CFS is a challenging process because there is still not one diagnostic test or biomarker thats conclusive. Getting a definitive diagnosis often takes months or even years.
Providing compassionate and effective care for patients with ME/CFS can be challenging, like many other multisystemic chronic conditions. Patients and their providers must be partners with open lines of communication in order to effectively manage this illness. For medical providers seeking to provide better care for ME/CFS patients, reference our educational materials at our Medical Provider Resources page.
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What Are Common Causes Of Sore Throat And Fatigue
There are many causes of sore throat and fatigue, and many of them are very common. A lot of garden-variety illnesses begin with these two symptoms, but they can also be a signal of more serious illnesses that require medical attention. Viruses and bacterial infections are common causes, and sometimes either intentional or accidental chemical exposure can cause these symptoms as well.
Those who have had a cold or the flu may recall starting out by noticing a sore or scratchy throat and a sense of feeling run down, although this isnt always the first symptom of the many rhinoviruses or influenza viruses. Sometimes a scratchy throat is so minor it isnt noticed at first, or it is present without fatigue. Some people feel achy, develop a fever, and get nasal congestion or coughing, too.
Certain forms of cancer are also cause tiredness and a sore throat. Lymphoma falls into this group, with the sore throat often caused by swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes, the treatments for cancer result in a depressed immune system, which can leave the patient open to other illnesses. People with cancer should immediately report cold or flu symptoms to a physician.
When To Call The Doctor
Try treating your cold at home first. Call your provider right away, or go to the emergency room, if you have:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden chest pain or abdominal pain
- Sudden dizziness
- Severe vomiting that does not go away
Also call your provider if:
- You start acting strangely
- Your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 7 to 10 days
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How Is Strep Throat Different From A Sore Throat With A Cold
Strep throat is caused by an infection of streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat spreads by having contact with an infected personâs saliva or nasal secretions. Although strep throat is more common in children ages 5 to 15, it also occurs in adults. To diagnose strep throat, your doctor can check a rapid strep test or send a throat swab to the lab for a culture. In some cases, they may be able to diagnose strep based on your reported symptoms and other signs, such as white spots in the throat area, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
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When Can I Go Back To Work Or School
If you have a sore throat or headache, wait until you have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work. Your child should stay home from school or day care until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
If you have strep throat, you can usually return to work or school once the fever is gone and you have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
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Your Lymph Nodes Feel Swollen And Tender
Your sore throat could also be the result of a strep throat infection. According to Goldstein, a strep throat will often leave your lymph nodes swollen and tender, causing pain when you swallow. You may also see redness, white patches, or pus on the back of your throat or tonsils. And for tell-tale coronavirus symptoms, find out The Earliest Signs You Have COVID, According to Johns Hopkins.
Cough Fatigue And Shortness Of Breath
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 2/19/2021
These symptoms are common in respiratory conditions such as the common cold or bronchitis. Asthma, a chronic condition, can also cause cough and shortness of breath. Fatigue is a nonspecific symptom that can accompany many different medical conditions. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these or other worrisome symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Young Couple Faces Covid
SAN DIEGO COVID-19 patients are finding out one personâs COVID experience may be very different from another personâs experience. The list of symptoms for the latest surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant include sore throats, body aches and fatigue.
For one local couple, not only are they still learning each other but they have to do that with coronavirus. Matt McDonald and Darcey Johnson have been together for six months. Matt shared, âWe always change the story of how we met but we⦠we met on Bumble. Their relationship â which started in the middle of a health pandemic â finally had to face that pandemic head on.
Matt says compared to Darcey his symptoms were worse. âVery painful to swallow, very painful to cough, difficult to talk and in addition to that there was just extreme fatigue and I had body aches as well. That turned into a severe sore throat. Very, very bad sore throat that turned into a cough.âDr. Argentina Servin says she isnt surprised to learn of the couples different experience. âWeâve seen that since the beginning of the pandemic. Because we are different, our immune responses will be different, said Servin.
If youd like more information or would like to participate in a clinical study at UC San Diego, click here.
If youd like more information or would like to participate in a clinical study conducted with funds from the National Institutes of Health, click here.
How Can I Protect Myself From Head And Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers are very preventable. Here are three important steps:
If you have already had cancer, cutting out tobacco and alcohol can reduce the risk of your cancer recurring. Seeing your physician at the first sign of symptoms can also prevent cancers from progressing.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/14/2020.
References
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Treatment Options And Prevention For Viral Throat Infection
Most causes of viral throat infections will resolve on their own without a specific antiviral treatment, especially in otherwise healthy individuals. Therefore, most treatment is focused on improving symptoms until the infection clears, including rest and hydration, soothing measures and pain medication, environmental changes and specific antiviral treatment.
- Medical Author: Dan Brennan, MD
Reviewed on 6/15/2020
These symptoms are present in a wide variety of medical conditions, including respiratory infections. To diagnose strep throat, your doctor may need to do a throat swab. If your symptoms came on suddenly, then you should contact your doctor right away.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Sore Throat Headache Stuffy Nose: Cold Or Flu
Sore throat, headache, stuffy nose youre sick. The question is with what? The symptoms of a cold, strep throat, and even the flu have some similarities. Strep throat and the flu are highly contagious and shouldnt be taken lightly. Even if youre just suffering from a cold, its best to get plenty of rest and take care of yourself.
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Can You Get Medicine For Influenza
If you are seriously ill, your doctor might order an antiviral drug for you. Antiviral drugs for influenza include oseltamivir phosphate zanamivir peramivir and baloxavir .
Oseltamivir phosphate
This drug is approved to treat influenza in patients who are two weeks of age and older, and it works best in people who have had the flu for fewer than two days. It is also approved to prevent flu in patients who are one year of age and older. There is a generic version of this product available, but it costs nearly as much as the brand name. Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, nosebleeds, headaches and tiredness.
Zanamivir
This drug is approved to treat flu in patients seven years old and older, and to prevent flu in patients who are five and older. This product is inhaled and not recommended for people who have respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma. Common side effects include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, nose irritation and vomiting.
Peramivir
This drug is approved to treat flu in people 2 years old and older. This product is given into the vein by a healthcare provider. A common side effect from peramivir is diarrhea.
Baloxavir
This drug, a pill, is approved to treat flu in people 12 years old and older who are otherwise healthy and in people who are at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications. Common side effects are diarrhea, bronchitis, nausea and headaches.
What complications are associated with influenza ?
What Is Bacterial Meningitis
Acute bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Approximately 80 percent of all cases are acute bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can be life threatening. The infection can cause the tissues around the brain to swell. This in turn interferes with blood flow and can result in paralysis or even stroke.
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