How to tell the difference between the “worst lurgie ever” and Covid-19

A cold described as ‘the worst lurgia ever’ has been reported across the UK as we approach the winter months.

And while it is often just the common cold, it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms from that of Covid.

For a few months now, people have been reporting symptoms including sore throats, muscle aches and coughs, some even bedridden after being punched, Birmingham Live reports.

At the height of the pandemic, cold cases were at an all time high now, but now it looks like they are back as social distancing guidelines are relaxed.

Rebecca said the bbc of her experiences with the common cold after catching it at a festival: “I barely slept, woke up at night coughing with a constant runny nose and felt so tired.”

The spread of cold is believed to be due to people’s weakened immune systems after going a year without being exposed to common bacteria and viruses.

NHS guidelines still say symptoms of Covid-19 include a temperature, cough, or loss of smell or taste, but according to the Zoe symptom tracker app, the next common symptom is a sore throat and discharge nasal – two of the most common symptoms of a cold. .

General practitioner Dr Phillipa Kaye said we are now socializing “in a way that we haven’t mixed in the past 18 months”, which means we haven’t been able to strengthen our regular immunity against coughs and colds.

This means that when people catch a cold the symptoms are more severe, but they can be treated at home with pain relievers, rest, and plenty of fluids.

A high temperature (over 38C or 100.4F) is a common symptom of a cold or Covid. However, coronavirus may also cause loss or change in smell or taste without a stuffy or runny nose.

Sore throats are also common with Covid or colds, but are more likely to feel sore instead of itchy.

A runny nose can be a symptom of both Covid-19 and a cold, but it’s more likely to be Covid if the rates of coronavirus infection are higher than usual .

Experts are advising people to stay home and rest if they are unsure whether their symptoms are those of a cold or Covid-19 and take a PCR test to be sure.