Symptoms of these illnesses overlap but there are ways to distinguish them
06:30, 14 Dec 2025Updated 07:14, 14 Dec 2025
A doctor explained how to tell what illness you have based on your cough(Image: Getty)
An expert has revealed it is possible to know what winter illness you have based on the type of cough you’re dealing with. According to a doctor, this symptom can appear differently depending on whether you have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19.
In the winter, certain illnesses become more common. Viruses can spread more easily in colder temperatures and the fact we spend more time indoors around other people makes this worse.
However, it can be hard to know exactly what is wrong as many of the symptoms can overlap. With this in mind Doctor Rupa Parmar, a GP and medical director at Midland Health, shared some of the ways to tell these bugs apart.
She said: “There are some key differences between a common cold, Covid and flu that can easily help you differentiate them. But, if you’re still unsure, always consult your doctor. After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to health.”
Among her advice was details on how to differentiate coughs caused by Covid, flu and a cold. “Coughs are common in all three viruses, but they have differences,” she said.
A pharmacist can help you find the right treatment for your cough(Image: Getty)Cold and flu
She explained: “With a cold, a cough will be mild, while a flu cough will seem dry.” The NHS website explained that cold symptoms come on gradually over two to three days.
In comparison, it said flu symptoms “come on very quickly”. The health body said “a dry cough” is one symptom of flu.
Covid
If you have Covid, your cough could also be dry but it will be persistent. Dr Parmar said: “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.”
The NHS described this as: “A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.”
The NHS says you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have Covid symptoms and do not feel well enough to work(Image: Getty)
Other key symptoms of Covid to look for include:
- A high temperature – you may feel hot, cold or shivery, or your skin is hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- An aching body
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick
The NHS warned: “The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.
“For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.” It added: “If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist for advice about cough treatments.”
If you have Covid
The NHS says you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child has symptoms and either:
- Have a high temperature
- Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities
You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.