“Important to Get Treated Early”: What to Do If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19, the Flu, a Common Cold or Allergies

More than 86% of Maryland's flu cases are influenza A. The state has what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers to be "high" levels of the virus.

But with each sniffle and cough comes a similar question: is it COVID-19, the flu, a cold or allergies?

According to Ernestine A. Wright, M.D., FACP, a board-certified primary care doctor with Mercy Personal Physicians Downtown in Baltimore, when dealing with COVID-19, you will usually feel really unwell, which can include aches, a sore throat and fatigue.

One of the telltale signs of COVID-19 is a loss of taste and smell.

A high fever and headache can be associated with COVID-19 and the flu. If you have the sniffles and sound sick but don't feel sick, it may just be a common cold.

"If you're not feeling well, don't take a guess. Call your physician and at least try to get seen or even have a telemedicine visit," Dr. Wright said. "Because if you do have COVID-19, it's important to get treated early to ensure that you don't develop complications like pneumonia and respiratory failure, which is what we are concerned about—particularly if you have associated conditions that could make you more vulnerable, like diabetes, heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

Dr. Wright added that allergies could flare up. So, watch out for symptoms of itchy, red eyes and a runny nose.

View Mercy primary care physician Dr. Ernestine Wright’s interview regarding symptoms of colds, flu, COVID-19, and allergies.