Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptom ComparisonAdults vs. ChildrenSymptom DurationDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to Contact a Provider

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptom Comparison

Adults vs. Children

Symptom Duration

Diagnosis

Treatment

When to Contact a Provider

Going viral isn’t always a good thing. Cold and flu viruses circulate at their highest levels each fall through spring, bringing you face-to-face with coughing, sniffling, and other symptoms of respiratory infections.

It can be challenging to know what type of viral infection you have based solely on your symptoms because the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) share many of the same ones. Testing is the best (and only) way to definitively know which virus you have.

How Are the Symptoms Different?

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV symptoms are very similar, and it’s difficult to know which virus caused your symptoms without testing. Possible symptoms of all three include:

Symptoms in Adults vs. Children

Some symptoms of these viral infections are more common in adults than children, and vice versa. For example:

How Long Do Symptoms Last?

Another commonality among these viruses is duration; flu, COVID, and RSV infections usually resolve without treatment in a week or two. The exception is when you develop severe cases of these infections or experience complications.

COVID, however, can have ongoing effects that last for months or even years, a phenomenon known aslong COVID. There is still much to learn about long COVID and who is at a higher risk for developing these ongoing problems.

How Are They Diagnosed?

A healthcare provider may diagnose you with any of these viral infections based on your symptoms alone and/or on what virus is most prevalent in your area at the time. However, testing is required to confirm a diagnosis, and each virus has its own test.

Confirmatory testing uses a nasal swab to identify the virus. While testing has traditionally been available through a healthcare provider, home versions of these tests have become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. Somenewer combination testscan differentiate among COVID, RSV, and flu A or B.

Differences in Treatment

Viral infections have no cure, but you can use over-the-counter medications and comfort measures at home to help manage symptoms. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections—just bacterial infections—and should not be used to treatflu,COVID, orRSV.

Some antiviral medications are designed to reduce the severity and duration of these infections, but they are specific to the virus they were designed for and cannot be used interchangeably.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

It’s possible to have the flu, RSV, or COVID and not even know for sure which you have. If you have a mild case of these infections and recover at home in a week or so, you may not have sought medical attention or a precise diagnosis.

Each of these infections, however, has the potential to become severe. You shouldseek medical attentionregardless of what virus you have if you experience things like:

Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you seek medical attention when any symptoms of a viral illness appear, especially if you have complex medical needs or a weakened immune system.

Summary

The flu, COVID, and RSV share a lot of symptoms, but a different virus causes each. Each virus has specific tests and treatments. You can test for each infection at home or at a healthcare facility. If needed, a healthcare provider can prescribe antiviral medications. They may also recommend supportive care at home to manage your symptoms. See a healthcare provider if you are not getting better—or becoming sicker—after about a week.

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of flu.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and care of RSV.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About MIS.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of long COVID.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnostic testing for RSV.

USA.gov.COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of influenza testing methods.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA authorizes first over-the-counter at-home test to detect both influenza and COVID-19 viruses.

MedlinePlus.Viral infections.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Influenza (flu) antiviral drugs and related information.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.What are the possible treatment options for COVID-19?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage common cold.

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