Is My Sore Throat Covid 19 Related Or Just a Cold

The common cold can be caused by a variety of viruses, the most common of which is a family of viruses called rhinovirus. Cold symptoms often appear 2 to 3 days after a person comes into contact with the virus. A cold is normally harmless, and the body’s immune system can combat the virus on its own, though some symptoms, such as a sore throat, can endure a few days. Colds are very contagious among children. Because colds are caused by viruses, medical antibiotics and pharmacy services will not help you fight the infection.

What are symptoms of a cold?

A cold usually lasts a few days to a week. The following are the most common cold symptoms:

• A stuffy nose
• Throat irritation
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Congestion in the nose and sinuses

How can I tell if my sore throat is Covid and not just the cold?

Common colds and Coronavirus disease may share many symptoms. However there are a few distinct symptoms of Covid that are usually not present with a common cold. These include:

• Loss of smell  (although not common in Delta variant)
• Loss of taste (although not common in Delta variant)
• Shortness of breath

What are the most common symptoms of the Delta variant of Covid 19?

The most common symptoms of the Delta variant of Covid -19 according to a recent CNBC report include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Sore throat

Please not that these symptoms are different than the original Covid-19 symptoms and loss of smell and loss of taste are much less common symptoms of this variant. 

When do I need to see a doctor?

Although the majority of common colds do not necessitate medical attention, there are some that do. If your cold symptoms have lasted more than a week or two, it may be time to consult a doctor. Additionally, if any of the following symptoms appear at any time, you should most likely seek emergency medical help right away:

• Being unable to catch one’s breath consistently
• Breathing difficulties that are severe.
• Fever of more than 101 degrees for an extended period of time
• Fainting or passing out
• Confusion or changes in mentation

For more in depth information please check out this article about Covid 19 sore throat