COVID vs. a Cold (3 Surefire Tips to Know the Difference)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 26, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You feel that scratch or tickle in the back of your throat… and you try your best to ignore it.
But when the chills start, you get out the thermometer and confirm whether or not you have a slight temperature.
With all of this and the achiness and fatigue, you begin to wonder what’s really going on with your body…
In years past, these signs would cause you to check the cupboard for chicken soup and search for a good movie to watch.
Nowadays, your thoughts turn darker.
Is it COVID-19?
Before your mind takes you too far, here are three surefire ways to determine whether those aches and chills are just a common cold or possibly COVID.
Figuring out if you have COVID-19 or the common cold can be EXTREMELY difficult.
Both of these infections share a lot of symptoms: fatigue, fever, chills, headache, sore throat…
This is because the virus that causes the common cold and COVID-19 are very similar. In fact, there are some scientists that suggest COVID-19 “borrowed” pieces of genetic material (called snippets) from the common cold virus – so it’s not surprising that they would have similar symptoms.
Having said that, there are three distinct symptoms of COVID-19 that the common cold usually does not show.
- The loss of sense of smell and taste.
- Headaches can occur with the common cold, but they are much worse in COVID-19.
- The fever in a common cold is usually lower than in cases of COVID, running below 101 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not always the case, however, so make sure to always reach out to your doctor if you’re running a fever.
All of this is good to know because it appears that even vaccinated people can have “breakthrough” infections from the omicron variant.
Let me stress, however, that you should ALWAYS see your doctor and get tested if you’re unsure whether you have a cold or a COVID-19 infection.
And you should always head to your doctor if you lose your sense of smell or have a headache and high temperature.
Stay safe by doing the things we all know to do by now: wear a mask, avoid crowds, wash your hands repeatedly throughout the day.
P.S. As the race to find COVID treatments stretches into a marathon, it’s worth taking a look at other options. Some researchers think this amino acid may do the trick.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...