Table of Contents
What to Expect with an Upper Respiratory Infection
- Day 1: Fatigue, headache, sore or scratchy throat
- Day 2: Sore throat worsens, low fever, mild nasal congestion
- Day 3: Congestion worsens, sinus and ear pressure become very uncomfortable
- Day 4: Mucus may turn yellow or green (this is normal)
Consequently, How do I know if I have a cold or Covid? Both COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses
Symptom check: Is it COVID-19 or a cold?
| Symptom or sign | COVID-19 | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Tiredness | Usually | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Usually | Usually |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Usually | Usually |
What day does a cold peak? Incubation: After you’re exposed to a cold virus, it typically takes 1 to 3 days for you to develop symptoms However, it’s possible to develop symptoms as soon as 10 to 12 hours after exposure Symptoms peak: Cold symptoms peak at 1 to 3 days
Besides Why do colds get worse at night? At night, there is less cortisol in your blood As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating Therefore, you feel sicker during the night
How can I shorten my cold? Cold remedies that work
- Stay hydrated Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration
- Rest Your body needs rest to heal
- Soothe a sore throat
- Combat stuffiness
- Relieve pain
- Sip warm liquids
- Try honey
- Add moisture to the air
Is COVID cough wet or dry?
A dry cough with COVID-19 is more common than a cough with mucus (about 50% to 70% of patients have a dry cough) 2 It is possible for a dry cough to become a wet cough over time, however
What causes a cold?
A cold is caused by a virus that causes inflammation of the membranes that line the nose and throat The common cold is very easily spread to others It’s often spread through airborne droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air by the sick person The droplets are then inhaled by another person
How long is a cold contagious?
The common cold is infectious from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone Most people will be infectious for around 2 weeks Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you’re most likely to spread the virus
