Check and double-check: how not to confuse coronavirus and the common cold?

Check and double-check: how not to confuse coronavirus and cold?

Distinguishing the flu and cold from COVID-19 is not easy, but it is possible.

The coronavirus pandemic does not cancel out seasonal illnesses like the flu and the common cold. In the early stages of the infection, it is very difficult to distinguish it from acute respiratory infections or influenza due to COVID-19. Mikhail Lebedev, a leading expert of the Molecular Diagnostics Center of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, told us how the symptoms of these diseases differ.

Symptoms characteristic only for coronavirus

Coronavirus infection has the same symptoms as many acute respiratory viral infections and influenza: fever, general weakness, muscle pain, cough and the most alarming symptom that requires a quick solution – a feeling of shortness of breath and shortness of breath, that is, signs of beginning respiratory failure. The latter unambiguously indicates the development of lung damage. In such a case, the doctor notes, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention.

Another symptom is severe fatigue for no apparent reason. Coronavirus patients note that they feel severe weakness even in the morning. “Even after recovery, some continue to complain of constant fatigue for some time. However, many very quickly return to their previous regimen and do not notice any consequences of the disease. There is no need to dwell on the clinical manifestations of the disease, as each organism is different,” says the epidemiologist.

Lack of smell can also be a symptom, but not only of coronavirus infection, but also of many other respiratory diseases.

Is it possible to distinguish one disease from another?

Let’s assume that a person has only some symptoms of coronavirus, and not all at once. In such a case, to avoid unnecessary doubts and not to expose yourself to danger, the epidemiologist advises to do a test for COVID-19. Only in this way it is possible to understand what exactly the person has fallen ill.

“Todistinguish independently is unrealistic! The clinical picture can in no way be the basis of diagnosis of coronavirus infection. The only possibility is to do a test.”

What is the best test to do?

Several types of tests for coronavirus are now registered. For some, a nasopharyngeal swab is taken; for others, blood is drawn from a finger or vein. In addition, some tests are aimed at detecting the virus itself, and others – antibodies to it. There are also rapid tests.

“For different situations, a different test is designed for different situations. For initial diagnosis, a direct test for detection of coronavirus RNA. To speed up the process (for example, for the examination of the team) – rapid test for the detection of antigen COVID-19. But in case of any doubtful response, rapid tests require confirmation by classical tests,” explains the doctor.