How do you know if you have COVID? It’s a question we’ve asked since the pandemic began. With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be tricky to tell the difference between COVID and other respiratory illnesses. But the good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to confirm if it’s COVID so that you can get the treatment you need. 

What Are the Symptoms of COVID? 

COVID symptoms can show up differently from person to person, which is why it can be hard to distinguish from other common illnesses. Some people may feel like they have a cold, while others experience more intense flu-like symptoms. Here are some of the most commonly reported symptoms of COVID: 

• Fever or chills
• Cough (especially a dry cough) 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• Loss of taste or smell 
• Sore throat 
• Fatigue 
• Headache 
• Congestion or runny nose 
• Nausea 

Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and they can range from mild to severe. Different COVID strains can also influence the type and severity of symptoms. For example, loss of taste and smell was very common in the earlier variants but is less common in the newer ones. Still, if you’ve lost your sense of taste or smell, COVID could be the reason.

COVID vs. Cold or Flu 

So, is it COVID, a cold, or the flu? There are a few clues that may help you get a better idea of what you’re dealing with: 

• usually bring more sneezing and stuffy noses.