Is It the Seasonal Flu?
Symptoms COVID-19* Cold Flu Allergies
Fever
Common (measured at 100°F or higher)
Rare
High (100° – 102°F), can last 3 – 4 days
Rare
Headache
Sometimes
Rare
Intense
Sometimes
General aches, pains
Sometimes
Slight
Common (often severe)
Rare
Fatigue, weakness
Common
Slight
Common (often severe)
Sometimes
Extreme exhaustion
Sometimes (progresses slowly)
Rare
Common (starts early)
Rare
Stuffy nose
Common
Common
Sometimes
Common
Sneezing
Common
Common
Sometimes
Common
Sore throat
Common
Common
Common
Sometimes
Cough
Common
Mild to moderate
Common (can become severe)
Sometimes
Shortness of breath
In more serious infections
Rare
Rare
Common
Runny nose
Rare
Common
Sometimes
Common
Diarrhea
Sometimes
Rare
Sometimes**
Rare
If viewing this chart on your phone, scroll to the left to see all symptoms.
*Based on XBB.1.5 and earlier Omicron subvariants
**This symptom is specific to children.
Sources: CDC, WHO, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Symptoms | COVID-19* | Cold | Flu | Allergies |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fever | Common (measured at 100°F or higher) | Rare | High (100° – 102°F), can last 3 – 4 days | Rare |
Headache | Sometimes | Rare | Intense | Sometimes |
General aches, pains | Sometimes | Slight | Common (often severe) | Rare |
Fatigue, weakness | Common | Slight | Common (often severe) | Sometimes |
Extreme exhaustion | Sometimes (progresses slowly) | Rare | Common (starts early) | Rare |
Stuffy nose | Common | Common | Sometimes | Common |
Sneezing | Common | Common | Sometimes | Common |
Sore throat | Common | Common | Common | Sometimes |
Cough | Common | Mild to moderate | Common (can become severe) | Sometimes |
Shortness of breath | In more serious infections | Rare | Rare | Common |
Runny nose | Rare | Common | Sometimes | Common |
Diarrhea | Sometimes | Rare | Sometimes** | Rare |
If viewing this chart on your phone, scroll to the left to see all symptoms.
*Based on XBB.1.5 and earlier Omicron subvariants
**This symptom is specific to children.
Sources: CDC, WHO, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.