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
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...