The flu, COVID-19, and the common cold are caused by different viruses. Some of their symptoms can overlap, which can make it difficult to tell them apart sometimes. In this video, learn the symptoms of COVID-19, flu, and common cold, and tips to tell them apart.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Cold versus flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Signs and symptoms of flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Symptoms of COVID-19.
National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Is it a cold, the flu, or COVID-19?
National Institutes of Health. (2022). Is it flu, COVID-19, allergies, or a cold? NIH News in Health.
World Health Organization. (2023). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Brian Clista, MDDr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.
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