If you’ve been feeling a bit ill lately, you may be pondering the difference between COVID-19 and a cold, flu or allergy. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s true that COVID-19 is running rampant in many parts of the United States, but that doesn’t mean other illnesses have gone away. Although it’s important to take COVID-19 seriously, it’s equally important to avoid panicking and jumping to conclusions if you do fall ill. As such, it’s important to know the difference between COVID-19 and a cold.
Upper Respiratory Issues
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection, but this disease tends to focus on your lower respiratory system and leave your upper respiratory function alone. Both colds and COVID-19 can come with a dry cough and chest congestion, but a stuffy nose, sinus headache and frequent sneezing fits are far more likely to indicate a cold or allergies than a more serious coronavirus infection.
Fever
Although it’s not impossible, it’s extremely rare for the common cold or allergies to cause a fever. If your body temperature measures 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you likely have a COVID-19 infection or a case of the flu.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea and stomach upset sometimes occur with the flu, especially in children. Allergies, however, don’t cause diarrhea and neither does the common cold. COVID-19 does cause diarrhea on rare occasions but its presence more likely points to the flu than COVID-19.
Test Results
Although you can check your symptoms to determine the difference between COVID-19 and other issues, the only way to rule out COVID-19 for sure is to schedule a COVID-19 test. If you’re too ill to drive or otherwise cannot get to a testing site, there are many home care services that can provide transportation.
No one likes to visit the doctor more than they have to, but it’s important to know what you’re dealing with when you fall ill. If you suspect your illness could be COVID-19, don’t hesitate to get tested for your own health and the safety of those around you.
Jimmy Clonaris is Managing Partner at BlueDot Cares, where he oversees operations, caregiver standards, and service delivery for in-home care across the organization. With more than 19 years of experience in healthcare and over a decade with BlueDot, he has been directly involved in building and scaling care programs that support individuals aging at home.
His work focuses on the practical side of care delivery. This includes caregiver training and oversight, care plan consistency, and coordination with families and local healthcare professionals. Jimmy is actively involved in ensuring that care is not only well-structured on paper, but executed reliably in the home.
Over the course of his career, he has worked with thousands of families navigating care decisions, from short-term recovery support to long-term in-home care. His approach is grounded in clear communication, accountability, and building systems that allow caregivers to deliver consistent, high-quality support.
Under his leadership, BlueDot Cares has grown to support tens of thousands of families while maintaining a locally operated, relationship-driven model. He continues to focus on strengthening the team, improving care standards, and ensuring families have a dependable partner when care is needed.
