Learn how to spot the difference between allergies, colds, the flu, and COVID-19—so you can feel better faster and know when to seek care.
When you're feeling under the weather, it can be hard to know exactly what's causing your symptoms. Is it just allergies? A common cold? The flu? Or something more serious like COVID-19?
These conditions often share similar symptoms, which can make it tricky to know how to treat them or when to seek care. Understanding the differences can help you get the right treatment faster and avoid spreading illness to others.
According to Dr. David Caltrider of HealthCARE Express, “There’s a lot of confusion surrounding what we call colds or sinus infections — things like COVID, the flu, mycoplasma, RSV, and strep. You’ll hear all of these terms, but it’s important to know that while they’re similar, they’re not treated the same.”
Common Symptoms: How They Compare
Allergies often come with sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and sometimes a cough. Unlike viruses, allergies do not cause a fever or body aches, and symptoms may persist as long as you're exposed to the allergen. Dr. Caltrider explains, “If you’re looking at allergies, you’ll usually see more watery or itchy eyes. You can still have a cough, congestion, and sore throat, but allergy symptoms tend to last longer or be triggered by something specific — like mowing the yard or being outside in heavy pollen.”
Colds usually develop gradually and often include symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and mild fatigue. Fever and body aches are uncommon. Dr. Caltrider notes that “common symptoms across most upper respiratory infections include fever, body aches, sore throat, headache, cough, and congestion — all typical signs of what we often call the common cold.”
The flu, on the other hand, hits suddenly and with more intensity. Expect high fever, body aches, chills, fatigue, and a persistent cough.
COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. These may include fever, body aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, and sometimes the loss of taste or smell. Dr. Caltrider adds, “COVID used to stand out because of the loss of taste and smell, but even that can happen with sinus infections, so it’s not as clear-cut as it once was.”
Key Signs to Help You Tell Them Apart
- Fever: Common with flu and COVID-19, rare with a cold, and not present with allergies
- Body Aches: Common with flu and COVID-19
- Itchy Eyes: A key symptom of allergies, not common with others
- Loss of Taste/Smell: A potential indicator of COVID-19, though not exclusive
- Sneezing & Runny Nose: Common in allergies and colds, less so with flu or COVID-19
With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be tough to tell what’s going on — and that’s exactly why Dr. Caltrider emphasizes the importance of getting checked out: “At the end of the day, these illnesses can look very similar. If you’re concerned or unsure, the best thing you can do is talk to your doctor to see if testing is needed and to get the right treatment plan.”
Still Not Sure? We Can Help.
Even if you suspect it’s “just allergies,” it's still a good idea to visit HealthCARE Express. We offer treatment options that can ease your symptoms and help you feel better faster — no matter what’s behind them. We provide allergy relief treatments, rapid testing for flu and COVID-19, and personalized care based on your symptoms.
When to See a Provider
It’s time to seek medical attention if:
- You have a high fever that doesn’t go away
- You're experiencing difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Symptoms are worsening instead of improving
- You've tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed and are feeling unwell
Walk into any HealthCARE Express location or book your visit online today. Relief is just around the corner.
Download our Allergies vs. Cold vs. Flu vs. COVID-19 info-graphic
