How to Tell the Difference Between Covid and Flu

Every autumn and winter, that same question pops up again and again: how do you know if you have flu or Covid?

The two viruses have become the ultimate guessing game of modern times. Both can knock you flat, both can spread like wildfire, and both can make you retreat to the sofa with your tissues, tea, and daytime TV.

So, what does the very beginning of Covid feel like?

Most people describe it as a creeping kind of unwellness. You might wake up feeling a little off, not dreadful, but definitely not right. 

Maybe you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste, or everything tastes a bit metallic. 

Maybe you’ve got a light tickle in your throat, some muscle aches, or a strange kind of fatigue that makes it hard to focus. 

These early signs of Covid can be incredibly mild or surprisingly sneaky. Covid often builds up over a few days, while flu tends to hit you like a bus almost overnight. If you’ve ever gone from fine to flat in twelve hours, that abrupt crash is the classic arrival of flu.

How Long Will It Take Me To Recover From Covid?

Now let’s talk about recovery, because that’s where a little know-how makes a big difference. 

Whether you’ve got the flu or Covid, rest is a must. This is because your immune system needs energy to fight the virus, and burning the candle at both ends never helps. 

Keep hydrated, which means plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear soups. Don’t overdo caffeine or alcohol, both dehydrate and can make you feel worse. 

Food-wise, go easy if your appetite has vanished, but try to eat simple, nourishing meals like soups, stews, or porridge to keep your strength up.

One of the most underrated parts of recovery is sleep. It’s tempting to scroll through your phone when you’re stuck in bed, but switching off screens helps your body produce more melatonin, the sleep hormone that supports healing. 

Keep your room cool, dark, and well-ventilated. And though you might be tempted to dose up on decongestants and soldier through your day, remember that flu and Covid aren’t like a mild cold. Rest now so you recover faster later.

People often ask when to see a doctor about Covid or when to seek medical advice about the flu. If you’re healthy and your symptoms are manageable, a low-grade fever, mild cough, sore throat, tiredness, then home care is usually enough. 

But if your fever stays high for more than three days, you feel breathless, your chest tightens, you can’t keep fluids down, or your recovery doesn’t seem to be progressing after a week, that’s your cue to call your GP or a medical clinic. 

Older adults, pregnant women, those with long-term conditions like diabetes or heart disease, and anyone with weakened immunity should always err on the side of caution and get checked sooner rather than later.

Something else that’s worth remembering is the emotional side of being unwell. 

Both flu and Covid can knock confidence as much as they knock energy levels. 

It’s normal to feel anxious about spreading the virus to family or colleagues, or to worry about how long you’ll be off work. 

If you test positive for Covid, stay home until you feel well enough and at least five days have passed since your symptoms began. 

If it’s flu, you’re generally contagious for a similar window, often from the day before symptoms appear to around five to seven days after. 

Handwashing, using tissues, airing out rooms, and resisting the temptation to share mugs or utensils can make a real difference in stopping the spread.

Over the past few years, many people have noticed that Covid symptoms have evolved. 

Early on, it was mostly about fever, cough, and fatigue. Now, what does the very beginning of Covid feel like? Increasingly, people describe a sore throat as the first sign, often followed by congestion and sneezing. Some even mistake it for hay fever!

That’s why the question of how do you know if you have flu or Covid keeps resurfacing, the goal posts just keep moving. Flu hasn’t changed much, but Covid has learned to disguise itself better.

The best defence against both remains prevention.

Annual flu jabs still make a world of difference, especially if you’re in a higher-risk group. 

Covid boosters, meanwhile, continue to protect against severe illness and hospitalisation. 

Vaccination doesn’t guarantee immunity, but it gives your body a serious head start. 

Pair that with decent hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes, and you’re doing your bit to keep your community healthier.

If you do end up catching something despite your best efforts, try to embrace the downtime rather than fight it. 

There’s something oddly comforting about retreating under a blanket with a good book or favourite film when you’re unwell. 

Let your body rest, keep hydrated, and don’t panic if you don’t bounce back straightaway. 

Recovery isn’t a race, and everyone’s timeline looks a little different. Some people feel fine after three days; others need two weeks before their energy returns.