Common Symptoms of RSV, COVID-19, and Flu and How to tell the Difference
RSV, COVID-19, and the Flu are highly contagious viruses that display varying symptoms at different times. They each present symptoms within a distinct onset period. Some display quicker than others. If you are experiencing symptoms, visit a healthcare provider to receive a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan.
RSV: a respiratory virus that impacts lungs and breathing passages
People infected with RSV typically show mild like cold symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
COVID-19: infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus
Most people experience mild to moderate respiratory illnesses. The symptom onset for COVID-19 can from 2-14 days following exposure and can include:
- Loss or change in taste and smell
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- Body aches
- Congestion/ runny nose
- Nausea/ vomiting
- Diarrhea
Flu: contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza virus that infects the nose, throat, potentially lungs. Symptoms usually appear suddenly and can include:
- Fever/ chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue
https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm
