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Symptom checker: COVID-19, allergies, cold or flu?

Are you feeling under the weather? Use this chart to check your symptoms against COVID-19, allergies, cold and flu.

Your symptoms may differ. Call your doctor if you're concerned about any unusual or severe symptoms.

Reviewed 2/16/2023

Which is it: COVID-19, Allergies, Cold, or Flu?

Cough

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: Rare
Cold: Common
Flu: Common

Shortness of breath

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: No (unless it triggers asthma)
Cold: No (unless it triggers asthma)
Flu: No (unless it triggers asthma)

Sneezing

COVID-19: No
Allergies: Common
Cold: Common
Flu: No

Runny or stuffy nose

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: Common
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes

Sore throat

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: Sometimes (usually mild)
Cold: Common
Flu: Sometimes

Fever

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: No
Cold: Sometimes
Flu: Common

Fatigue

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: Sometimes
Cold: Sometimes
Flu: Common

Headache

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: Sometimes
Cold: Rare
Flu: Common

Body aches

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: No
Cold: Sometimes (usually mild)
Flu: Common

Diarrhea

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: No
Cold: Rare
Flu: Sometimes (in children)

Nausea or vomiting

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: No
Cold: No
Flu: Sometimes (in children)

Loss of taste or smell

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: Sometimes
Cold: Rare
Flu: Rare

Chills

COVID-19: Common
Allergies: No
Cold: No
Flu: Sometimes

Take action!

Call 911 if you or a loved one has emergency warning signs for COVID-19. These include trouble breathing, lasting pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, trouble waking up or staying awake, and bluish lips or face.

Your symptoms may differ. Call your doctor if you're concerned about any unusual or severe symptoms.

Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; World Health Organization