Cold, flu, or COVID-19: Know the symptoms

Signs and symptoms

Cold

Flu 

COVID-19 

Symptom onset

Gradual

Sudden

Gradual

Muscle and body aches

Slight

Common

Sometimes

Cough

Sometimes

Common

Common

Diarrhea

Rare

Sometimes

Sometimes

Fatigue, weakness

Sometimes

Common

Common

Fever over 100 degrees

Rare

Common

Common

Loss of taste or smell

Rare

Rare

Sometimes

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Rare

Rare

Common

Runny or stuffy nose

Common

Common

Sometimes

Sneezing

Common

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sore throat

Common

Common

Common

Headache

Rare

Common

Sometimes