A medical expert has shared advice on the matterFiona Callingham Lifestyle writer, Sean Crosbie and Chloe Barrett
10:06, 07 Dec 2025
There is one telltale symptom that distinguishes a cold from Covid(Image: Facundo Dias Montes via Getty Images)
If you’re finding it tricky to work out whether you’ve been struck down by Covid or simply picked up a common cold, there’s one crucial distinction that can help you figure it out.
Dr Parmar points out that a telltale indicator of Covid is experiencing difficulty breathing.
This symptom is far less common if you’re dealing with an ordinary cold.
“Shortness of breath is rare in both a cold and the flu, but as Covid more so affects the lungs due to inflammation, it is a common symptom,” she explained to The Mirror.
Her guidance aligns with information on the NHS website, which identifies breathlessness as more characteristic of Covid rather than flu or a standard cold.
This particular symptom tends to be more commonly linked with ailments such as Covid or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The nature of your cough might also provide clues to distinguish between different illnesses. Dr Parmar noted that with a cold, a cough tends to be “mild”, whilst a flu-related cough typically appears more “dry”, reports Cork Beo.
She elaborated: “With Covid, a cough will be dry and continuous, and many people will cough for more than an hour or have three or more coughing episodes within a day.”
Should you notice a loss of taste or smell, there’s a stronger likelihood you’ve contracted Covid rather than a cold or flu, though it’s worth noting this symptom can occasionally present itself across all three conditions.
For those who have Covid, the NHS recommends that individuals should try to remain at home and limit contact with others if they or their children display symptoms and either have a high temperature or feel too unwell to attend work, school, childcare, or carry out regular activities.
However, if you’re uncertain about what’s amiss, it’s always best to consult your doctor.
As Dr Parmar emphasised: “After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to health.”
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