What is the Difference Between Flu, COVID, and RSV? They All Cause Cold-like Symptoms


Helathy - All three of these respiratory illnesses are caused by highly contagious viruses. 

They all cause cold-like symptoms, such as cough and runny nose. 

However, each has unique features, such as loss of taste or smell with COVID (although the latter symptom is reported to be less frequent than it was before the Omicron variant), and wheezing in children with RSV.

While many people experience mild illness from these viruses, factors like age and general health put some at higher risk for hospitalization and death. 

In the case of COVID, even healthy young people have developed Long COVID, defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that can continue for weeks, months, or years beyond the initial infection or develop later.

Flu can come on fast and cause the entire body to ache within a couple of days. 

COVID symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, while RSV takes four to six days; in the latter two diseases, symptoms build slowly.

If you get sick from any of these illnesses, it may be difficult to figure out which one you have, although a rapid home test may rule out COVID, and a doctor can provide laboratory tests for flu and RSV, if necessary.

Influenza

Flu is a common illness during the winter. But it can be severe, especially in children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems and chronic conditions, such as diabetes or asthma. 

It attacks the respiratory system, causing fever, body aches, cough, headache, and sore throat.

COVID-19

COVID cases rates are rising. A particular concern is the recent emergence of new Omicron subvariants, including JN.1, which quickly rose to become the dominant variant in the U.S. over the last months of 2023.

RSV

RSV is a common winter virus that can cause a cold-like illness. Most healthy children older than age 2 and adults younger than age 60 will have a mild case of RSV that will get better in about a week. 

However, people 60 and older can develop lower respiratory tract disease from RSV, leading to inflammatory conditions such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Also at higher risk are premature infants, infants up to 12 months (especially those 6 months and younger), and children younger than 2 years with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, weakened immune systems, and/or neuromuscular disorders. 

Those groups are at risk for hospitalization and death from RSV, and there are no treatments beyond supportive care.***

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