David Saunders
COVID is back in the headlines thanks to a new strain, Stratus, now sweeping across the UK and pushing up case numbers in England. It comes with two variants and a hoarse voice that could pass for an overzealous night out or a bog-standard seasonal flu, leaving half the country guessing whether they’ve caught a cold, the flu, or yet another round of Covid-19.
With the usual winter wave of sniffles colliding with this latest curveball, many Brits are flying blind on what their bodies are actually fighting. And when everyone from the office manager to your nan has a theory, it helps to hear from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.
Enter Dr Nabil Jarad, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Spire Bristol Hospital and one of the top 100 NIHR researchers, who has stepped in to separate fact from fever dream.
The Winter Mix-Up: Why Everything Feels Like Everything
According to Dr Jarad, the biggest challenge is the sheer overlap of symptoms. Colds, flus and Covid-19 now blur together like a pub quiz team after too many pints.
“A sore throat, cough and runny nose are symptoms most people recognise as having a cold or the flu. However, telling whether you have one or the other is often more challenging.”
“Both the flu and colds are caused by viruses that infect your upper respiratory system — this includes your nose, mouth and throat.”
“The symptoms of a cold and the flu overlap, which is why it is easy to confuse the two conditions.”
And Covid? It loves to join the party. Loss of smell or taste and a dry cough can happen with the flu — but they’re far more common when Covid is doing the rounds.
Colds: The Slow Burn You Know (But Still Hate)
The cold season never really ends in Britain; it just evolves into different flavours with every temperature dip.
Dr Jarad explains: “A cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory system, which can be caused by over 200 different viruses that are present throughout the year. However, colds are most often caused by a group of viruses called rhinoviruses.”
“Cold symptoms usually come on gradually and commonly include a mild cough, a runny or stuffy nose, a sore throat, headaches, sneezing, as well as body aches and mild muscle tiredness.”
“Most people recover from a cold within 7-10 days, although your symptoms may continue for up to two weeks. Cough is infectious to close contacts.”
Slow onset, mild misery. That’s your classic cold.
Flu: Faster, Fiercer, and Hitting Britain Hard
The flu isn’t messing around this year. UKHSA figures show infection rates climbing from 10.7% to 11.6% in England last week — enough to justify the “super flu” headlines all over social media.
Dr Jarad spells it out: “The flu is caused by specific groups of viruses, namely influenza A, B and C. As with colds, the viruses that cause the flu are present throughout the year.”
“Like cold, influenza viruses tend to be more prevalent, spreading from person to person, during the winter months.”
“Symptoms usually come on faster than with a cold and are more severe. Systemic symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, muscle ache and loss of appetite, are normally seen in flu but not in the common cold.”
“As with a cold, flu symptoms include a cough, a runny or stuffy nose, a sore throat and sneezing. The cough is usually dry, and hacking and the body aches are stronger than with a cold.”
“Most people recover from the flu in around one to two weeks.”
If a cold is an annoying coworker, the flu is the coworker who barrels in and kicks over your desk.
COVID vs Cold vs Flu: Spot the Difference Before It Floors You
With Stratus in the mix, Covid continues to complicate things.
Dr Jarad says: “As with the flu and a cold, Covid-19 is caused by a virus that infects your respiratory system. However, COVID-19 is specifically caused by the coronavirus – COVID-19. Both the flu and COVID-19 can cause a loss of smell and/or taste and a dry cough. However, this is more prevalent in COVID. If those happen, get a COVID test kit from the chemist and test yourself. It matters because COVID is highly infectious.”
If you needed the nudge to keep a test kit in the bathroom cupboard, that’s your cue.
So How Do You Treat It? (Spoiler: Not With Antibiotics)
Whatever strain or season you’re battling, Dr Jarad is crystal clear:
“As for most viral respiratory illness, they tend to be self-limiting with no specific treatment. The treatment is generally supportive and aims to alleviate symptoms. No specific treatment is yet available.”
“Antibiotics are not effective at treating the flu or a cold as these medicines target bacteria.”
“Whether you have the flu or a cold, it is important to drink lots of fluids so you can stay hydrated. You can also take over-the-counter decongestants and painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen and paracetamol) to ease your symptoms.”
In short: rest, fluids, patience — the old-school trio that has worked since before any of us could spell ‘coronavirus.’
