Cold, flu or Covid?

Recent health data confirms the common cold, flu, and Covid have been on the rise in recent weeks.

For the common cold, symptoms tend to appear gradually over 2 to 3 days. Symptoms mostly affect your nose and throat and include a chesty cough. You'll feel rough, but usually well enough to carry on.

Pressure in your ears, sneezing and a hoarse voice are three signs of a cold which are less common in flu and Covid, so they could be a tell-tale sign.

For flu, symptoms usually come on suddenly, and you can feel totally wiped out with a fever, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Dry cough is another indication you've come down with the flu and the best thing you can do for it is rest.

Difficulty sleeping is one sign of flu which we tend not to see as much in colds and Covid, so this is something to look out for.

Covid can feel very similar to a common cold or flu, but loss of taste or smell can still be a giveaway. Some people also get diarrhoea or tummy upset, which you wouldn't usually see with a cold, and be weary of a dry cough.

Shortness of breath is more common with Covid, so this could be a key sign to tell them apart.

What a lot of people don't realise is that you can catch multiple viruses simultaneously, especially during seasons when they're circulating widely.

Use the graphic below to cross-reference any symptoms but do speak to your doctor if you're worried.

Prevention is key, so be sure to keep up with your flu and Covid vaccinations.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

For autumn 2025, COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to: